MP backing for Waitangi accused surprises party

Two brothers have been charged with assault after John Key was jostled on Waitangi Day. Photo / Brett Phibbs

The Maori Party co-leaders have distanced themselves from their MP Hone Harawira's support for two men facing assault charges for jostling the Prime Minister on Waitangi Day.

Mr Harawira is the uncle of the two brothers charged with assault and has publicly supported them in their court trial, including calling for the matter to be dealt with outside the court and for Mr Key to meet them.

The pair have pleaded not guilty and Mr Harawira again defended them in his column for the Northland Age yesterday, urging "common sense to prevail" in the court process.

Labour has described Mr Harawira's actions as "appalling", saying his attempt to defend the brothers raised questions about his conduct as an MP.

Mr Harawira's support for the pair caught the Maori Party's co-leaders by surprise - he had not discussed it with them and they were unaware of his links to them before seeing it in the media.

The issue is expected to be discussed when the party caucus meets next week and yesterday Tariana Turia and Pita Sharples issued a joint statement saying they understood the concern Mr Harawira had for his relatives.

But they did not add their support to Mr Harawira's, saying they had no tolerance for violence and were "greatly concerned about the assault against the position of Prime Minister".

They said MPs also had to be "mindful" not to be seen as interfering in the court process.

While Mr Harawira is unlikely to be told to back away completely, he will probably be told to be careful how he treads.

Any further attempts by him to push Mr Key into meeting the pair could force the Prime Minister into an embarrassing position and has the potential to strain the party's relationship with the National Party.

Mrs Turia told the Herald Mr Harawira had not discussed the matter with them before he made the public statements.

Asked if he should be reprimanded, she said the co-leaders did not believe they should have to "micromanage" their caucus.

She said she had supported whanau in court and Mr Harawira had the right to do so with his relatives. However, there was a "fine judgment" to be made in doing so.

She said the party took its new responsibilities and relationship with the National Party very seriously.

"But there's no doubt we take our relationship with each other seriously as well. I want to give Hone the opportunity to at least talk to us about this matter."

Mr Key has refused to comment on the court case. The police laid the charges without his laying a complaint.

A spokeswoman said he would continue to meet with the Maori Party as part of their governing agreement, but he would not meet the brothers or anyone else - including the Maori Party - to discuss the issue.

Yesterday Mr Harawira said he did not believe he would be cautioned by his leaders or warned it could affect the party's relationship with National.

"I see no conflict whatsoever in my support for the brothers and the kaupapa [message] of the Maori Party. None whatsoever."

He said his nephews were "good people" and he did not want to see them "locked up".

"I don't do this sort of thing for all my relations. But the kaupapa - the right for Maori to protest - is an important one and one I will never deny."

Mr Harawira had also backed the actions of protesters in 2004 who jostled former Prime Minister Helen Clark at Waitangi.