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Maori Party member Hone Harawira speaking -
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Maori MP Hone Harawira has again apologised for the language he used in an email sent to former Waitangi Tribunal director Buddy Mikaere, who had questioned his decision to skip a work meeting in Europe to visit Paris with his wife.
Reading from a prepared statement on Radio Waatea , Harawira said he "readily apologised for the "poor choice" of language' in the email, in which he also referred to "white motherf******s".
Harawira apologised to the Maori Party and acknowledged that his actions had damaged the Maori cause as they had been misunderstood as an attack on all Pakeha. He also apologised for demeaning women.
The controversy had damaged his credibility, he says, and he would be doing "serious bridge building" with his caucus who he also apologised to.
However, Harawira again stood by the sentiment of his email, saying that if he had written "European colonisers are responsible for the loss of 63 million acres of Maori land over the last 150 years," there wouldn't have been any controversy.
The email was an angry reaction, Harawira says. He was "pissed off and reacted that way".
The language had caused an unwanted reaction; "and for that I do apologise,"he says.
Harawira was part of a parliamentary delegation visiting Europe when he decided to leave Brussels and take his wife to Paris for the day.
Harawira admitted he could have handled the decision to go to Paris better.
He says he had been open about what he had done and had not tried to hide the trip.
He denied telling party co-leader Tariana Turia the reason he missed the meeting was because he was ill, he was ill on his return and that had caused confusion.
The Maori Party leadership, prime minister, and race relations commissioner Joris de Bres were among those who have called for an apology over his outburst.
Harawira complained that much of the coverage has been a media beat up with reporters focusing on just ten words and not considering his track record representing Maori rights.
He also denied that he is a racist despite the use of language which many saw as being racially inflammatory.
Harawira confirmed that, despite pressure to do so, he would not
be leaving the Maori Party and would instead be redoubling his
efforts to work with caucus colleagues to rebuild some of the
bridges the controversy has damaged and advance the Maori cause.
You can read the text of Hone Harawira's apology
here
You can read Hone Harawira's controversial email in full
here
How do you feel about Hone Harawira's apology? Share your opinion on our message board below.
Add a Comment:
Post new commentGreg Cramond said on 2011-01-28 @ 19:02 NZDT: Report abusive post
Hone was in Kitimat (Canada) for a conference for American Indian Nations, did his usual racist rant and blamed white people for everything wrong and then left after being presented with the indian name of walking eagle... This means 'one so full of sh!t, he can not fly'. Hone, give it up mate, you look like an idiot... It is New Zealand, not Whites and Maoris, Us and Them, people like you incite racism... Let it go... Bro!
Rog said on 2009-12-02 @ 09:45 NZDT: Report abusive post
Harawira should look at the history of his own race before criticising others. They stole land from, raped, murdered and ate their own people when they felt like it. He should read the book "This Horrid Practice" by Paul Moon plus accounts in the National Archives of Maori history.
shiloh said on 2009-11-30 @ 07:52 NZDT: Report abusive post
It looks as though they are waiting for all the racist hype to quiten down, and then keep him on in the party. Mind you... when you think about it, if they kick him out, the Maori party will have to deal with the wrath of Hone's fans. And if they keep him, they have the rest of the country to deal with!! GET RID OF HIM! NZ has no room for racist politicians.
paulmmmm said on 2009-11-29 @ 18:18 NZDT: Report abusive post
Being in New Zealand from Australia to witness Hone's spectacular racist and stupid remarks was fascinating. Do they help even if true? Hone, I wish you and your people all the best. At least the Maoris have a political party - Australian Aboriginies do not.
Zanziabar said on 2009-11-29 @ 18:12 NZDT: Report abusive post
This is completely unacceptable, this is a truly horrendous double-standard applied to this entire political circus. As it has been pointed out before, If a Pakeha MP was to make the same comment about Maori then he would be expelled. Instead, We get a maori party unable to face up to it's responsibilities as a political party. Mark my words, there will be massive public outrage if he isn't expelled from his causcus.