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The actions of one man, Hone Harawira, are threatening to split the Maori Party apart.
His own leaders admit they cannot control him as it looks
increasingly likely there is only one way for the firebrand MP to
go - become an independent.
But that poses another problem as he has huge personal support as a
staunch voice for the Far North electorate, Te Tai Tokerau.
But it is his attitude that is frustrating the Maori Party.
"I don't give a sh*t what New Zealanders think," he said at the height of the controversy over his side trip to Paris and his subsequent expletive-ridden email to a critic.
The party on Thursday suggested to Harawira that he should leave the caucus and gave him two weeks to consider it, but he quickly rejected the idea.
Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples says Harawira is already behaving like an independent.
"He's placed himself outside of our caucus, outside of our party," Sharples says.
Co-leader Tariana Turia agrees.
"He's already made statements this week to say that the only people that he is accountable to is to Te Tai Tokerau. For that to happen then clearly you're indicating that you are an independent," she says.
Turia was the only Maori Party MP who did not attend the hui in Kaitaia on Thursday, saying she had prior commitments.
ONE News asked on Friday if Harawira will be allowed to stay if he alters his behaviour.
"I don't think Hone is likely to change," Turia replied.
So will they make him leave?
"We're still looking at that issue," says Turia.
If the result sees Harawira walking away from the party, it will force a by-election.
Harawira won the seat of Te Tai Tokerau easily last election, so ONE News asked people if they would stick by him if he stood as an independent MP.
"I am for Hone. If Hone goes somewhere else I will back him up 100%," says one woman.
However another woman says Harawira has "ruined a lot of things for Maori" and "given us a really bad image".
And speaking from Singapore, Prime Minister John Key has added to the debate.
"The comments made by Hone Harawira do not reflect the sentiment nor the comments that I ever hear from the leadership of the Maori Party and I think they're offended by them in the same way that a lot of New Zealanders are," says Key.
Sharples admits the Maori Party has problems with Harawira.
"We're having difficulty controlling him, I'm going to be straight up about that."
It is a difficult issue they have now got two weeks to sort out.
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.