Harawira: Party want me to conform

Hone Harawira. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Maori Party MP Hone Harawira believes his caucus colleagues are trying to crush opposition to the Government's legislation that will replace the Foreshore and Seabed Act and stop him voicing the concerns of his constituents.

Mr Harawira is again in trouble with the party, this time because of an article he wrote for the Sunday Star-Times newspaper at the weekend saying the caucus was too wrapped up with National and reiterating his opposition to the Marine and Coastal Areas (Takutai Moana) Bill.

"The downside of being in government with National is having to put up with all the anti-worker, anti-beneficiary and anti-environment (and therefore anti-Maori) legislation that comes as a natural consequence of having a right-wing government," he wrote.

His caucus colleague Te Ururoa Favell has laid a formal complaint, supported by co-leaders Pita Sharples and Tariana Turia, and the party's other MP Rahui Katene.

The most extreme measure that could be taken would be to expel Mr Harawira from the party, but its president Pem Bird told NZPA he wanted to resolve the issue through a hui.

"We are seeking an early meeting between affected parties to try and resolve the issues raised by the complaint, as our constitution requires," he said.

Mr Harawira isn't happy about the way the complaint is being handled and said tonight he wasn't told anything about it before an announcement was made through the media.

"I think what they are trying to do is stymie the right of a Member of Parliament to represent the feelings of his electorate," he said on Radio New Zealand.

"I think what they are trying to do is crush dissent on the foreshore and seabed, I think that what they are trying to do is demand that all members of the Maori Party nod when the leaders speak."

Mr Harawira said there was nothing new in the article he wrote for the newspaper.

"Those are issues I have raised privately with caucus and with party officials and members on numerous occasions over the last 12 to 18 months, and they reflect the basic feelings of my electorate and Maori Party members throughout the country," he said.

Mr Bird indicated the hui would be held on Friday but Mr Harawira said he understood there would be a conference call tonight with his Te Tai Tokerau electorate committee to decide when and where it would take place.

- NZPA