The Maori Party Tauranga branch is standing by Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell in his method of dealing with Te Tai Tokerau MP Hone Harawira.
Hone is embattled in his position at the Maori Party as he struggles to toe the party line. He is falling out with the other MPs and how the party handles Hone has become a central distraction for the party.
Te Ururoa Flavell and Hone Harawira are at loggerheads as Hone's outspoken nature leads to a falling out with within the Maori Party.
Te Ururoa's constituents appear to be supporting him though with a Waitangi Day endorsement of his position not to carry out the dispute with Hone in the media.
Tauranga branch chairman Te Awanui Black is encouraging Te Ururoa to 'stand strong”.
'At no time has the Maori Party leadership acted outside of its kaupapa,” says Te Awanui.
'They have been honest, open and transparent and dealt with this issue as rangatira.
'We wholeheartedly endorse this approach.”
He says Te Ururoa and the party leadership have Tauranga Moana's support.
'This matter has been whipped up into a political storm when in fact it is insignificant compared to the plight of our people.
'Our people need to remember the Maori Party is the only political party ever to stand strong for Maori and we should not be drawn into or distracted by this.
'Our MPs have achieved more for us in one term than any other party in more than 170 years since the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Remember that.
'For the sake of the unity and the future of the party we think as a result of Hone's more recent statements, he has made his own decision.
' Our old people here in Tauranga and many of our whanau have told me they are hurting because of this continued media furore.
'Our people, party and kaupapa are bigger than personalities and singular issues and that is what will triumph at the end of the day. Kia kaha Te Ururoa.”
4 comments
Respect?
Posted on 07-02-2011 13:15 | By morepork
Te Ururoa Flavell is doing a good job and whether you agree with his politics or not, he is a man worthy of respect. It is hard to say the same about Hone Harawira.
About time.......
Posted on 08-02-2011 08:55 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
Good on Mr Flavell for taking the first step, but in reality this is a long time overdue. Mr Hone Harawira (John Hadfield) and his over the top, unpalatable racist outbursts last year should have been enough to see him sacked from the party, and parliament. He (Hone) is clearly not capable of working in the best interests of the NZ public, but instead pursues only his own extreme separatist agendas. Sure, he will still have some suppport from those in this country with an entitlement mentality, and a grudge against society, but these sort of people will never be happy, no matter how much 'koha' or concessions you give them. Those raised to hate, will only ever know hate. The whole of NZ, and the Maori party, will be better off without 'Hone Harawira' (or whatever he chooses to call himself).
Posted on 08-02-2011 09:44 | By Right Again
Flavell at least stands by his word, like him or not. This is more than can be said for that John Hatfield.
HOLLYWOODING & CHARADES
Posted on 11-02-2011 08:47 | By Ratcatcher
Most of this stoush looks like it is for public consumption .You couldn't rely on any of these 'people' and we should be highly suspicious about whats really going on between John Hadfield, Uncle Tom Cobbley and all behind the scenes because we are not flies on the wall.It is just all to cosy/ convenient and has a bad odour to it.The way to remedy cr** is to immediately abolish all the Maori seats and separatism.One general electorate will solve this particular problem and stop it dead in its tracks once and for all.It seems like Nationals Foreshore & Seabed rort is the catalyst for this little game.
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