Harawira's political future in limbo 

Source: NZPAHone Harawira

• WATCH the video (1:43)

Controversial MP Hone Harawira's political future is still in limbo, with his fate to be decided by the people who voted him in.

The Te Tai Tokerau MP has been forced to explain to his Party's leadership why he skipped a meeting in Brussels for a day trip to Paris with his wife.

He has also had to explain an abusive email he sent defending the trip and talking about white people raping the country.

Now the people of Te Tai Tokerau will meet with Harawira and the Maori Party leadership on Thursday to decide what the MP is going to do.

Maori Party president Whatarangi Winiata says the email Harawira sent was abominable, and is being taken very seriously.

"The reason we persist (with Harawira) is because of his potential," Winiata says.

"I think he'll find a way to apologise to the nation ... if we think it's appropriate to do that."

The email has already prompted more than 20 complaints to the Race Relations Commissioner.

Joris de Bres says while the language used was racist, freedom of speech protections mean the law has not been broken.

ONE News understands Harawira wants to stay with the Maori Party, as he feels he has a bigger voice there rather than standing as in Independent.

You can read Hone Harawira's 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.

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thelma ; 2009-12-02 @ 19:23 NZDT  

good on him

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Rog ; 2009-12-02 @ 09:45 NZDT  

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.

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shiloh ; 2009-11-30 @ 07:52 NZDT  

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.

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paulmmmm ; 2009-11-29 @ 18:18 NZDT  

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.

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Zanziabar ; 2009-11-29 @ 18:12 NZDT  

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.

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