Tamihere steps back into fray

John Tamihere at Kura Waka, the 6th National Aukati Kai Paipa conference at the Orakei Marae. Picture / Richard Robinson

Embattled MP John Tamihere has come back early from "stress leave" after a hammering in a recent poll to briefly front a hui on cutting high Maori smoking rates.

The Tamaki Makaurau MP fronted briefly at Orakei marae yesterday, a decision which signalled a U-turn on a self-imposed no-public appearance policy for the Maori MP.

Mr Tamihere, who had failed to show as a speaker at Porirua's Pataka Museum this week, has been on stress leave after criticising Labour colleagues including Prime Minster Helen Clark in a recent Investigate magazine article.

The Herald understands Mr Tamihere's decision was driven by concern at a weekend Marae poll which showed support in his electorate had slumped to just 30 per cent. Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples led on 66 per cent.

Event organisers applauded Mr Tamihere's decision, welcoming any assistance to push the Maori non-smoking theme.

The conference, attracting around 100 Maori health professionals, is hosted by Auckland's Ngati Whatua o Orakei Health.

Spokeswoman Angilla Perawiti said the conference was geared to develop a long-term policy to stamp out high Maori smoking rates.

Over half smoked in 2001, compared with 31 per cent of Pacific people and 21 per cent of Pakeha.

The high smoking rate is seen as a key driver in Maori living up to four years less than non-Maori.

A conference highlight is a speech by leading North American indigenous health and stop-smoking expert Lawrence Shorty.

Ms Perawiti said Mr Shorty had experience in combating high smoking rates among native Americans.

She said a key theme would include hitting home the message that Maori were once smoke-free.

"We do have a problem. Let's get on with it. Only this can return us to what we were - a smoke-free people"

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia is expected to speak today on the second day of the two-day event.

It is understood separating the appearance of Mr Tamihere and the Maori Party's sole MP was deliberate.

An event organiser who did not want to be named said tension between the pair could have detracted from the hui's theme.

"We did not want to cause any friction." They said Mr Tamihere's appearance was appreciated but it was unlikely to sway voters in his constituency.

Mr Tamihere's failure to speak at the event and departure after just two hours surprised a number of people at the conference.

Maori and smoking

* 600 Maori die from smoking related illness every year.

* In 2001, 51 per cent of Maori smoked, compared with 21 per cent of Pakeha and 31 per cent of Pacific Islanders.

* Life expectancy for Maori men is 69 and Maori women 74. This compares with 73 and 77 for non-Maori.

* Maori children are exposed to twice as much second-hand smoke as non-Maori children.

* Around 30 per cent of Maori were exposed to others smoking indoors, compared with 19 per cent of non-Maori.