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The man who sparked an expletive-ridden email from the Maori Party's Hone Harawira says the Te Tai Tokerau MP has to go.
Former Waitangi Tribunal director Buddy Mikaere recently emailed Harawira asking who paid for the politician's wife take a sightseeing trip to Paris with him.
In the strongly-worded reply Harawira responded by saying Maori have been exploited for centuries and he could not be expected to play along with puritanical ideals.
Mikaere describes Harawira as a fairly aggressive politician but says his language is just not what you would expect from a politician.
"This guy went overseas to represent our country in an important international forum. He was the leader of that delegation, pulled a sickie, shot off to Paris with his Mrs.
"Then we find in this email that underneath that veneer of him as a politician he actually holds some pretty strong views on the rest of us here in New Zealand, whether they be brown or white or whatever."
Mikaere says Harawira has been a tremendous advocate in the past.
"I remember his stance on the treaty and the activities of the Waitangi Tribunal in his former days. (But) I don't think at the moment the kind of behaviour that he's exhibiting is what you'd expect from a politician.
"It's just not reasonable and I don't see why we should have to, as taxpayers, pay while he undergoes political 101 and learns how to be a proper politician."
Mikaere believes Harawira should now do the honourable thing and fall on his taiaha.
Meanwhile, the Maori Party says it is on the verge of disciplining MP Hone Harawira over his behaviour, despite an apology frrom him.
The party held a teleconference after Harawira's email was made public.
While Harawira has subsequently apologised for any harm to his party, he has not apologised for his actions.
The Human Rights Commission says it has fielded several calls from the public who find the remarks made by Harawira offensive and divisive.
It says it will assess the complaints as soon as possible and respond promptly.
The Commission says the public can also express concerns to the Maori Party and the Speaker of the House.
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.
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.