Statement from the Maori Party

The Maori Party has reached resolution of the process of whakahou wairua which is a process that restores the spirit of all those who have been affected by a particular action.

A meeting was held on Tuesday night, which followed on from the reconciliation process with the people of Te Tai Tokerau electorate last weekend. Our member from Te Tai Tokerau electorate has acknowledged his responsibilities for the damaging effects of his actions on the Maori Party and its supporters, his parliamentary colleagues and the nation as a whole.

We acknowledge that people make mistakes and we from time to time, err. By drawing on kaupapa embodied in its Constitution; the Maori Party has designed a process of resolution which comes from the recognition of hurt and the determination to move forward.

The Party in recognising the hurt that statements have caused, hopes that this apology moves some way to righting a wrong. We acknowledge the wrong.

We have found the strength to exercise compassion while reminding ourselves of the need for individual and collective discipline –mana motuhake– and of the high expectations of our membership of us as Maori Party Members of Parliament.

While the focus has been on the actions of one MP the party itself recognises the need for collective responsibility in all it says and does. We have agreed, as a caucus, to commit to a kawa for members of parliament, a series of guiding protocols to ensure we act in accordance with kaupapa tuku iho. Our people expect that of us, and we will be working actively to achieve those high standards.

Hone has asked for time to engage again in the many tasks required of representing Te Tai Tokerau and this has been granted until the end of the parliamentary year.

2010 is a new year. We intend to build on lessons learnt and consolidate the gains that have been made in the short time of our relationship agreement with the National Party; while at the same time strengthening our relationships with each other.


An apology
Hone Harawira
Wednesday 02 December 2009

Last night I met with my caucus colleagues, and I heard first hand the pain and the suffering that they have had to go through because of the senseless comments I made in an email a few weeks back, and for that I apologise.

The Maori Party has built up a good deal of credibility and goodwill during our first four years in the house, and has a vital role to play in building new pathways for our nation. My comments have derailed much of that credibility and set back our efforts to build bridges for our people into the future, and for that I apologise.

I also recognise the responsibility that I carry as a leader within Maoridom and I apologise most sincerely to all young Maori, and especially to our mokopuna, for the bad example that I have set by my comments.

I apologise also to those New Zealanders, both Maori and Pakeha, and particularly women, who have been offended by my comments. They were insensitive, they were hurtful, they were unnecessary, and I apologise for the grief and anguish that they have caused.



Hone Harawira