-
Source: ONE News -
Watch Video
-
Related
The Maori Party says it is on the verge of disciplining MP Hone Harawira over his behaviour despite him apologising for any harm he has done to the party.
The party held a teleconference after Harawira lashed out at white people over criticism that he bunked off a work trip to visit Paris.
He has apologised for any harm to his party, but not for his actions.
In a harshly-worded email exchange, Harawira accused "white motherf*****s" of "puritanical bullshit" for expecting him to follow the rules.
Prime Minister John Key said the Maori Party MP had a history of intemperate remarks and said he hoped the Maori leadership would deal with this one.
"Hone Harawira has made a statement that is deeply offensive to a lot of New Zealanders," Key said
Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia had already expressed concerns that his unscheduled side trip to Paris during a taxpayer-funded work trip last month would damage the party's reputation.
After the party's teleconference, President Whatarangi Winiata said in a statement it was very concerned about his behaviour in Europe and the expletive-ridden email that followed.
Winiata said the actions were well short of the values and standards expected by the party.
"We are very disappointed that Hone's behaviour, and his language, fall short of expressing our kaupapa," he said.
"The party's constitution sets out a process for handling inappropriate behaviour."
The co-vice president of the party, retired Judge Heta Hingston, said if a complaint was received it would first be referred to Harawira for an explanation and if this was not satisfactory the matter would be sent to his electorate.
If the response from this did not satisfy the complainant it would go to a party disciplinary committee made up of senior members.
Hingston said he was not aware if any complaint had been laid.
The disciplinary committee could do everything from giving Harawira a slap on the hand with a wet rag through to expulsion.
Hingston did not believe that Harawira had taken part in the teleconference, but he had sent an email to the party.
In that email he did not apologise for his actions, but for any harm he had done to his party.
"I apologise unreservedly for any harm to the Maori Party caused
by my choice of words in the recent email," Harawira said to his
party.
Hingston said Harawira was aware of the furore he had caused, "but
who wouldn't be the way the media has got involved".
Harawira skipped a meeting in Brussels so he and his wife, Hilda, could spend a day in Paris.
He paid for the extra travel himself.
After this, former Waitangi Tribunal director Buddy Mikaere, emailed Harawira a two-sentence message: "Gotta ask the question eh? Who's paying for Hilda?"
Harawira wrote back starting his email; "Gee Buddy, do you believe that white man bullshit, too, do you?
"White motherf*****s have been raping our lands and ripping us off for centuries and all of a sudden you want me to play along with their puritanical bullshit."
Harawira then went on to say how much time and energy he put into fighting for Maori and what a big role his wife played in that.
"And, quite frankly, I don't give a shit what you or anyone else thinks about it. OK?"
Harawira was already in hot water, with Speaker Lockwood Smith saying he may have to pay back some of the trip's overall cost and Turia revealing she had been led to believe the reason he skipped the meeting was illness.
Harawira has been unrepentant about his actions, saying he missed nothing by skipping the meeting as he had already met those attending the meeting and discussed issues with them.
He did not think he should have to pay back any money and was glad he had undertaken the side trip, saying it would have been dumb not to visit such a wonderful city.
You can read Hone Harawira's controversial email, in full, here
How do you feel about Hone Harawira's sightseeing trip to Paris and his reaction to the criticism? 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.