-
Watch Video
-
Related
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.
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.