7 MPs tied to northern tribes

The present Parliament is so well endowed with men from the North that they could set up their own northern club in the capital.

Seven MPs are members of northern tribes.

Some in the group have ties. Labour list MP Dover Samuels and National list MP Clem Simich share a great-grandfather on their Dalmatian side, and Labour newcomer and list MP Shane Jones also has Dalmatian ancestry.

Mr Jones and Te Tai Tokerau MP Hone Harawira are related.

National list MP Tau Henare was not born in the North but is a member of Ngati Hine and is a former Te Tai Tokerau MP.

Mr Henare said northern tribes had always been "rather aggressive".

"It has been the cradle of the protest movement. It is also where things started for better or for worse, and I think northern people have always been very outspoken."

New Zealand First list MP Pita Paraone believed the preponderance of men from the North had nothing to do with Nga Puhi being the biggest tribe (many northern tribes are affiliated to Nga Puhi) but rather that the North has always been highly politicised.

Mr Jones said he expected that despite the MPs coming from different political parties, there would be a certain camaraderie.

"Whilst we might quarrel, there is an expectation that from time to time we will cuddle each other to death."

Roll-call

* Winston Peters, Ngati Wai, NZ First
* Clem Simich, Nui Tonu o Nga Puhi, National
* Dover Samuels, Ngati Kuri, Labour
* Tau Henare, Ngati Hine, National
* Pita Paraone, Ngati Hine, NZ First
* Hone Harawira, Te Aupouri, Maori Party
* Shane Jones, Te Aupouri, Labour