Maori Party pres believes fix in Harawira dispute days away; Labour's Shane Jones says poll shows party has handed the issue poorly
30 November 2009 The Maori Party is optimistic it will find a mutually acceptable solution to the issues surrounding MP Hone Harawira and his party colleagues.
A hui held in Whangarei over the weekend set up a dispute resolution process which the MP and the party will work through during the week.
The party's co-leaders were not at the hui. Pita Sharples was at another meeting and Tariana Turia is still recovering from gastric by-pass surgery.
Party President Whatarangi Winiata believes a fair, just and final resolution that restores mana to everyone will be reached and says more announcements will be made later this week. He says the kaumatua of Te Tai Tokerau have made it clear they want Mr Harawira to stay in the party. Co-Leader Pita Sharples has previously said Hone Harawira will remain in the party but is likely to be temporarily suspended from its caucus.
Mr Harawira is maintaining his silence and not commenting on the latest developments.
Labour Party MP Shane Jones believes the Maori Party should look to its performance as a new poll shows voters are not impressed by Mr Harawira's behaviour.
A Colmar Brunton Poll shows 77 percent of those surveyed and 61 percent of Maori thought Hone Harawira's comments in an angry email to a supporter were racist. Overall 69 percent believe Mr Harawira should not remain in Parliament.
Mr Jones believes those sentiments are a reflection on how poorly the Maori Party's handled the matter. He says the longer it lets the matter fester the more support it will lose and the more damage it will do to the good name of Maoridom in politics.
