Clamour for Piripi's resignation over 'civil war' comment

By RUTH BERRY, political reporter

Maori Language Commission chief executive Haami Piripi is rejecting Opposition calls for his resignation over his "civil war" warnings, saying he was exercising his rights as a New Zealand citizen.

The comments were included in a submission to the select committee examining the foreshore bill, which he said "Maori people will never accept".

It was written in Mr Piripi's capacity as chief of the Northland community of Ahipara.

The submission said: "This country could be brought to its knees by internal conflict and perhaps civil war over the coming decades as a direct result of this bill."

Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia is reported to have said the "nonsense" submission was inappropriate for the head of a Crown entity.

His spokeswoman said yesterday the minister planned to meet the commission's board today to discuss whether he retained confidence in Mr Piripi.

National deputy leader Gerry Brownlee yesterday said Mr Piripi should apologise, resign or be sacked.

He said the comments were "extreme and racially divisive" and raised serious questions about Mr Piripi's role as chief executive of the commission.

Act Maori Affairs spokesman Stephen Franks has called for Mr Piripi's resignation.

Mr Piripi said yesterday from Brisbane he apologised if he had offended anyone and could have "toned the submission down a bit".

But he wouldn't apologise for its substance and had no plans to offer his resignation.

"All I have done is exercise my right as a New Zealand citizen to make a submission. I haven't broken any laws. I really can't see what the fuss is about."

He had told the commission's board he was delivering the submission, but hadn't informed them of its content and perhaps should have.

But it had been delivered "completely outside the auspices of the language commission, in my role as a Maori community leader".

"The views I expressed weren't aimed at undermining the integrity or credibility of Government at all, but they were questioning the efficacy of that particular legislation."

Mr Piripi said he had worked for both Labour and National Governments as a public servant for many years.

"I've helped the Government build prisons, implement policies ... often in the face of strong Maori opposition.

"I have maintained my role and my credibility by making sure that what I'm doing is not working against my people, in my opinion."