Outspoken MP keeping quiet 

Source: NZPAHone Harawira

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The political future of one of New Zealand's most controversial MPs hangs in the balance.

Hone Harawira has been forced to apologise to his party for sending an email laced with swear words to a supporter who criticised him for taking a trip to Paris instead of attending a meeting in Brussels.

Harawira is meeting with Maori Party leadership in Palmerston North on Saturday night and the usually outspoken MP had nothing to say during the day.

The Te Tai Tokerau MP would not talk to ONE News about his political future when he was questioned at Kaitaia Airport, saying he had things to do at the weekend.

"Everything I have to do as MP for Te Tai Tokerau is important," he says.

Harawira is in trouble for lying to his leaders about skipping work and going on his jaunt to Paris with his wife and for sending an offensive email which talked about white people raping the country.

"I think the combination of the behaviour in Europe and the emails since have taken the concerns to a new level," says party president Whatarangi Winiata.

Professor Winiata will not force Harawira to walk but says this time an apology is not enough.

"It probably ranges from Hone choosing to resign to making a clear firm statement about his commitment and his willingness to accept the leadership of the party."

But while the Maori Party is not happy, Harawira is still a superstar in his electorate.

He won the Northland seat by more than 6,000 votes last election and the party will be mindful that if he stands as an independent, the seat may go too.The Race Relations Commissioner says Hone Harawira may not have broken the Human Rights Act by making racist comments.

The Te Tai Tokerau MP is meeting with Maori Party officials to discuss an abusive email he sent defending a trip to Paris .

But Commissioner Joris De Bres says the act sets a very high standard in terms of freedom of expression and the prime responsibility in this case is for the Maori Party to uphold its values as a parliamentary party and as a Maori party.

De Bres says more than 20 complaints have been made with the Race Relations Commission about Harawira's email, and each one will be individually looked at.

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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ebonyivory ; 2009-11-21 @ 11:44 NZDT  

Yep looks like he will stay 'gutless' is the word to mind about everyone in parliament who have their heads in the sand, now he's running to the QC to help him and others at the university who are obviously activists as well and have been for years. Well Maori Party let him stay the damage is done and it will happen again for sure its only a matter of time you all know that, how can you accept him back after all that. If the party means that much to you don't let him back in make a stand NOW!

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sjk109 ; 2009-11-20 @ 23:11 NZDT  

Let's just look at the major issue here: The fact that Hone skipped part of a conference has really become irrelevant. The comments he made are racist and there is absolutely no plausible defense for his actions. There is a huge double standard that exists in our politically correct correct and it is a gross injustice for him to get away with this with a little slap on the wrist. For goodness sake- ALL people who are Maori are also part "something else" (usually Pakeha) so we are all to blame!!!

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Westridge2001 ; 2009-11-20 @ 23:08 NZDT  

I see today it looks like he'll remain in the party... and that would be right. Appear upset, wait til the fuss has died down, and then business as usual for the Maori party. If Harawira stays then I loose any respect for the Maori party I had. Pathetic politicians. Pathetic behaviour. I can't believe we choose people like this to run the country.

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Noddy samurai ; 2009-11-20 @ 22:11 NZDT  

The Maori Party will not get any votes in the future especially while they're in the company of Hone. He is a disgrace to N.Z

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slick__starr ; 2009-11-20 @ 10:49 NZDT  

I think that it is in fact not hones fault. It is the New Zealand public ,Black,White, Brown whatever colour of skin. Because we encourage ALL politicians to behave the way they do simply by voting, when will we have a New Zealand government that is for all New Zealanders, One Government, One people. and as long as my butt points to the ground thier will always be rascism , Lets move on.

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