-
Watch Video
-
Related
A familiar face of controversy, Winston Peters, is now wading
into the Hone Harawira affair.
Peters has resurfaced, claiming the MP and the Maori Party could
make New Zealand the Zimbabwe of the South Pacific with their
behaviour.
The New Zealand First Leader is a master at picking the perfect
moment for politicking and making sure the media is there to cover
it.
Peters is piggybacking on to the Harawira saga, scoring political points at the MP's expense in a speech to Grey Power in Wanganui.
"(Harawira) has cloaked himself in the rhetoric of Maori
grievance, which he fuels and incites," says Peters.
"He belongs in a gang somewhere, not in parliament."
It is not just the MP in Peters' sights, but his party, too.
"The Maori Party is all about taking resources off non-Maori and in many cases Maori and grabbing social and economic control. The outcome some fear could be the creation of a new Zimbabwe in the South Pacific."
ONE News deputy political editor Francesca Mold says Peters is an opportunist, skilled at picking the right time to resurrect old fears. She says this could be seen though as a blatant grab for attention and a move that could actually ramp up already tense race relations.
ONE News put that to him.
"You show me one comment today that is not a fact, that is not straight up and honest," he replied.
The Race Relations Commissioner refused to talk about the issue, saying he does not comment on political speeches.
The Prime Minister, John Key, is refusing to wade into the row too, leaving Peters to fill the void.
What do you think of Winston Peters' comments? Have your say on our messageboard below.
Add a Comment:
Post new commentNoddy samurai said on 2009-11-14 @ 19:31 NZDT: Report abusive post
Winston Peters you need to get a life your own one. Either you're bored or you just an opportunist
ebonyivory said on 2009-11-13 @ 09:27 NZDT: Report abusive post
Go Winston, yes been waiting for your opinion and it is spot on, the difference is with you and Hone is, you have class he has'nt and you are intelligent, people who are'nt have to use swear words to get their point across. Kia ora Ngati wai.
SEVE said on 2009-11-13 @ 07:25 NZDT: Report abusive post
Winston Peters is correct. If Hone Harawiras remains in the `Maori Party after his 2 weeks probation then the majority of Voters/Tax payers/New Zealanders will take it that the `Maori Party condones his behaviour and will `taint the `Maori Party as a `Racist Party. In my opinion the Maori Party is all about themselves and no other New Zealanders so to that, the Maori Party is `Racist focused! Time will tell when it comes to the next General Election whether the `Maori Party survive!!
swinsnes said on 2009-11-13 @ 01:21 NZDT: Report abusive post
I absolutely agree with Mr Peters. I think he is acurate and very right to comment on this matter and we should all be listening. Racism from anybody is not acceptable for any reason. It only breeds hatred and trouble. I am a kiwi living outside of NZ watching and seriously, can't NZ just be everyones NZ??? Do we really have to be dealing with all this in 2009??
geofreyraa said on 2009-11-13 @ 00:13 NZDT: Report abusive post
If anything's biased rhetoric it's whoever writes articles like this; "Peters is piggybacking on to the Harawira saga, scoring political points at the MP's expense" - no wonder Peters dislikes the media when they suggest collusion at his every word.