Kiwiblog

Martin Kay in the Dom Post reports:

The chances of a broad-based Left-wing party rising from the ashes of Hone Harawira’s meltdown with the Maori Party have been dashed after he made it clear that any group he led would have to be Maori-focused.

Former Greens MP Sue Bradford – who has been closely associated with speculation that a new party was being planned – said the prospect of one being in place for this year’s election were now slim after Mr Harawira indicated he wanted a “more Left-wing Maori Party”.

Ms Bradford has said she would be interested in discussing a more generalist party that campaigned on a broad range of issues, but Mr Harawira’s comments suggested he was not interested.

I never thought Hone would want to lead a non Maori party. Maori nationalism is what he is all about.

There is a way they could try and do it – copy the Alliance structure. Have Hone as Leader of the “Mana” party and Sue as Leader of the “Left” party. The Mana Party could become a constituent part of the Left Party and that would mean if Hone retains his seat, then the Left Party would gain a List MP if they received around 30,000 party votes.

However that would mean that Hone’s party is subservient to the left party, and bound by the rules of the left party with regard to how they determine policies, list ranking, leadership.

Oh how embarassing.

The House just had the second reading of the Marine and Coastal Area Bill (which it passed). Labour gave one of their spots to Hone Harawira so he could rail against it on the grounds it doesn’t give Maori title to the entire foreshore & seabed.

Then they had the vote – and Hone didn’t vote. So the issue on which he effectively left the Maori Party, he failed to vote on.

This has happened before. Gordon Copeland left United Future over the anti-smacking law. And then he forgot to vote on the actual bill and become a political laughing stock.

Hone is finding out the hard way there is more to being an MP than just mouthing off. Sometimes you need to actually do shit such as vote.

I understand at least one member of the press gallery joked this morning how hilarious it would be if Hone did a Copeland and forgot to vote. From reports, the entire gallery almost hit the floor in laughter.

Claire Trevett in the Herald reports:

The Government’s arch critic, Hone Harawira, wanted to become a minister when the Maori Party first went into coalition with National in 2008, according to a confidential statement by caucus colleague Te Ururoa Flavell.

In his submission to today’s disciplinary committee hearing against Mr Harawira, obtained by the Herald, Mr Flavell said both he and the Te Tai Tokerau MP were prepared to take up ministerial positions – belying Mr Harawira’s recent strong criticisms of his party for staying in the coalition.

“Put it this way: If he was to have received a ministerial position, would he still be writing to criticise the relationship? Answer: I doubt it.”

I’d say Flavell is right.

Mr Flavell was also scathing about Mr Harawira’s criticism of National as “anti-worker” and “anti-environment,” saying the MP had had difficulties with his own staff and once told the caucus he did not believe in climate change and nobody would tell him to drive a smaller car.

Hmmn, Hone as co-leader of a new left party is starting to look very interesting!

In the often-emotional submission, Mr Flavell said it was not easy laying a complaint against his friend of more than 40 years and it had taken a toll on his whanau, the party and the other MPs, who had suffered personal abuse.

However, Mr Harawira appeared to have a deliberate strategy to cast the other Maori Party MPs in a bad light.

He depicted the maverick MP as “talking himself up” and “big-noting” by constantly painting himself as the only true voice of Maoridom. “That strategy is aimed at putting the rest of us down.”

And this has been the problem. Hone has always had the freedom to attack National for politices he disagrees with. But when he slags off his own party and colleagues, it is no surprise they have a limit to how much they will put up with.

A lengthy video interview at 3 News by Patrick Gower with Tariana Turia talking about Hone Harawria. A key line:

“He has no respect for our authority. He has no respect for this environment. He doesn’t have any respect for the coalition agreement that we all signed up to and that we all agreed to. And he has no respect for the party itself,”

If Hone wants to survive in the party, then he is going to have to convince his colleagues that he is capable of respecting them, and not just doing what is best for Hone.

A fortnight agon Phil Goff ruled out talking to Hone Harawira. TVNZ reported:

He said Labour would talk to the Maori Party if it was “in the interests of New Zealanders to do so”.

Goff would not, however, talk to Hone Harawira, saying there were “lots of things I fundamentally disagree with him on”.

He said Labour would also work with Winston Peters, though New Zealand First is currently out of government.

So two weeks ago Goff said he would not talk to Harawira, but he would deal with Winston or the Maori Party.

Today the Herald reports:

Labour leader Phil Goff this morning refused to rule out Hone Harawira as a somewhat unlikely potential coalition partner following this year’s election.

So that’s a flip-flop in just two weeks.

Labour have had five different positions on the Foreshore & Seabed. Will they also get to five different positions on Hone Harawira?

NZPA report:

Maverick MP Hone Harawira has been suspended from the Maori Party caucus.

In a statement today, Maori Party co-leaders Pita Sharples and Tariana Turia announced the suspension, saying that it was a result of Mr Harawira’s behaviour in the party for the past five years.

That is an interesting time-frame to refer to. It looks like it has been building for a long time, and has reached the near inevitable conclusion.

“We have always respected the right, and made provision for caucus colleagues to speak out on issues which their constituency presents. We do this, however, always guided by the principle of unity of purpose and direction (kotahitanga).”

No political movement could survive divided within itself, they said.

“We have made this decision with heavy hearts. We are especially mindful of the position of Maori Party supporters in Te Tai Tokerau, who will obviously feel loyal to Mr Harawira; but who are also supportive of our kaupapa Maori and the achievements of the Maori Party in Parliament.

“We want them to know that we have huge respect for the people of Te Tai Tokerau and our commitment to our people remains unwavering.”

The suspension would remain in force until further notice.

It will be interesting to see if Harawira now gives his proxy vote to the Opposition. It won’t affect things a lot as you need 62 votes to pass a law and Nat + ACT = 63 and NAT + Maori = 62 so National can still go either way – plus have Peter Dunne.

How many protesters at Waitangi were not relatives of Hone Harawira? Any?

3 News has a copy of the Flavell complaint about Hone Harawira. Extracts:

Firstly, while it is totally acceptable that we as a caucus have different views about various matters within the Party or caucus, it is appropriate that these issues are discussed internally.

This is standard in all parties. Hone has done nothing but attack his own party and colleagues for several weeks – he can’t really expect there to be no consequences for that.

This statement is made by one of our members who actually shaped the Bill, contributed to the discussions, heard the debate, saw the briefing papers and had direct access to the Minister. When I questioned him myself about why he was against it, he raised issues which I suggested he should take to the Minister. He decided he would not, in fact he stated that he had no intention of seeking any answers. He went on to issue a statement about the short comings of the Bill some of the points of which were incorrect.   And to be quite frank, this Bill is our Bill – there is no question in my mind that unless we had negotiated as we did in our coalition agreement, that National would never have considered there to be any need to repeal the 2004 Act and develop an alternative legislative framework.

It is interesting that Harawira turned down opportunities to work within the system – he just does the easy option of mouthing off in public.

And Flavell is right that without the Maori Party asking for it, the Foreshore & Seabed Act would probably have not been reviewed or replaced.

I have lost trust and confidence in Hone to work as a part of our team and relationships have disintegrated to the disadvantage of our Party. For us to continue in this way is to see the situation worsen and have a huge impact on the long term future of our Party.

As Hone has shown not one ounce of compromise, I think it is inevitable he will be expelled – not because they want to, but because they have to. If he really wants to stay within the Maori Party, he has to gve them a reason to trust him.

Mike Watson at Stuff reports:

A hui to hear a complaint against Maverick Maori Party MP Hone Harawira has ended without resolution on his future with the party.

Mr Harawira and Maori Party whip Te Ururoa Flavell walked out together but told reporters they hadn’t resolved all the issues that sparked the hui.

The fact they talked face to face is a good start, but I have my doubts that it will solve things.

Harawira said this afternoon he “absolutely” believed he could still work with Flavell and had no issues with co-leader Tariana Turia either.

He did not want to leave the Maori Party.

I think this supports the Gower theory that Hone is in fact trying to take over the Maori Party. Note that he did not say he had no issues with Pita Sharples.

Stuff reports:

Talk of a new Left-wing party is gathering steam, with veteran activist Sue Bradford confirming behind-the-scenes discussions and revealing she would consider leading it if asked.

Expectations are growing in Left-wing circles that renegade Te Tai Tokerau MP Hone Harawira could be the lightning rod for a new movement if the rift between him and the Maori Party hierarchy ends in divorce.

This poses a challenge for both National and Labour. An extra ally for Labour isn’t good for National.

But on the other hand can you imagine Phil Goff trying to lead a Government where he could only pass laws if he can get Metiria Turie, Sue Bradford, Hone Harawira and Winston Peters to all agree.

Patrick Gower blogs at 3 News that he belives Hone Harawira’s “Plan A” is in fact to take over the Maori Party.

Hone Harawira clearly wants to take over the Maori Party. It was the signs outside his “disciplinary hearing” saying “Hone’s the Man!” and “change the leadership!” that gave the game away. …

Harawira’s been peddling a “I don’t have the tact and diplomacy to be leader, I’m an activist to my bones” line. That language shifted this week. In my one-on-one interview on Wednesday where he referred to John Key as a “smiling assassin”, Harawira refused to rule out taking the leadership if called upon by the Maori Party support base.

I tend to agree with Gower, that this is what Harawira wants. In his own way he is trying to do a Winston  constantly white-ant your colleagues to build up your own popularity, and then try to use that popularity to force his way into the leadership.

But like with Winston, it may not work as he wants it to.

Then there is of course the “change the leaders sign” at the hui yesterday. They’re obviously for Harawira. He claimed on Morning Report this morning that he didn’t know the signs were there. I burst out laughing: I watched his brother Tai get them out of a Harawira emblazoned vehicle, and put them up under instructions from their mum, Titewhai.

I think that says a huge amount.

Of course Harawira could get kicked out. This may not come to pass – but it doesn’t mean its not Harawira’s plan; I’m sure he wants to stay in. However, the party may decide he is becoming too dangerous and get rid of him. Obviously he would go out in a blaze of glory and win as an independent. So what of this “Left party”? It would dilute his goals for Maori, be hard to set up. The Maori party has the infrastructure, the brand, the membership and the history he wants. I’d say independent would be the Plan B – with a comeback in time still on the cards.

If Gower is correct in his analysis, then it is more likely they will kick Harawira out. Otherwise they risk being stabbed by him again and again.

TVNZ reports:

He said Labour would talk to the Maori Party if it was “in the interests of New Zealanders to do so”.

Goff would not, however, talk to Hone Harawira, saying there were “lots of things I fundamentally disagree with him on”.

He said Labour would also work with Winston Peters, though New Zealand First is currently out of government.

Personally I would choose Harawira over Peters anyday.

But what is significant is Goff ruling out even having discussions with Harawira.

Because many on the left want him to join forces with Bradford and McCarten and form a hard left party. If Harawira stood for them, they would not need 5% to get elected.

But Goff is apparently saying he would choose opposition, rather than deal with Harawira. Is this really his position?

One News reports:

A collective from the Maori Party filed an official complaint against fellow Maori Party member Hone Harawira late last night.

Maori Party President, Pem Bird, says he received a complaint yesterday from Waiaraki MP Te Ururoa Flavell, supported by Te Tai Tonga MP Rahui Katene, and Maori Party co-leaders Dr Pita Sharples and Tariana Turia. …

Bird said the party is seeking an early meeting to try and resolve the issues raised by the complaint and an urgent hui will be held on Friday.

“We have invited Hone Harawira, Te Ururoa Flavell on behalf of the complainants, and the Chair of the Te Tai Tokerau Electorate Council to be present at the hui. It will be chaired by the Party’s co Vice President, Ken Mair. The hui will be private and confidential to enhance the chances of successfully resolving the issues in the complaint,” Bird said.

I’m not sure what Harawira’s game plan is. Sometimes it looks like he is trying to take over the Maori Party and mould it in his own image. Sometimes it looks like he is trying to engineer a split.

It is hard to see how he can be a candidate for the Maori Party at the next election, with his recent actions. If there is a schism, he will take a lot of activists with him.

What will be interesting is whether he stands as an Independent, tries to set up his own Maori Party or becomes the Leader of a hard left party which includes Sue Bradford and Matt McCarten. If he does the latter, then they will get representation in Parliament on the basis of Harawira retaining his seat which is likely. Not sure though that Hone would want to be seen to stand for a party which is not a Maori nationalistic party.

Overall this is pretty good news for the left. One danger however is that a Harawiara led hard left party could attract activists and voters from the Greens, and they can’t afford to drop under 5%.

Hat Tip: Whowuddathort

Readers may recall that Hone Harawira called Rodney various things, including fat, a week or so ago.

A reader alerted me to this video. Is this the same Rodney? I suspect Hone would struggle to bench press 110 kgs.

And here’s another – 180 kgs in a deadlift.

No transcript yet but a really fascinating interview with Hone Harawira on The Nation on Tv3. Hone sometimes often gives an impression that he mouths off without thinking, but the interview showed that a lot of what he does is more calculated. He talks about his role being to push the limits, and how the MP needs to differentiate itself from National rather than abandon them.

He also showed some political deftness at not giving straight answers (at one point Duncan had to remind him that it is his role to ask the questions), but he did make one thing very clear. He said that if Pita Sharples retires as co-leader, then he has recommended that Te Ururoa Flavell become the new co-leader. Flavell is gaining a growing reputation as an effective MP, and I agree he is the natural successor to Sharples.

Harawira also showed some quite good insight into how a leader needs to be diplomatic and able to compromise, and that those are not his skills.

This was shown by him talking about his comments on how he would be uncomfortable with his daughters dating Pakeha, and he went on to say that one of them is dating a Maori boy at the moment, and how he doesn’t approve of that. I don’t recall the exact words but Duncan asked him if he thought his daughter’s boyfriend was no good, and Hone replied “Yeah that’s right”. Can’t imagine his daughter will be thrilled to have Dad diss the boyfriend on TV!

For  those who missed it today, would be worth watching it tomorrow.

Claire Trevett at the Herald reports:

Asked about the issue on his way into Parliament yesterday, Mr Harawira refused to answer any questions asked in English and spoke only in te reo before walking away.

He earlier told Radio Waatea that if the Government agreed to Act’s request then the Maori Party should walk away from the coalition.

“I don’t see why we should sit back and let a little fat redneck like Rodney Hide put in an amendment at the last minute.”

Two ironies here.

The first is that Rodney is fitter than Hone I would say, and would probably kick his arse in a swimming race.

The second is that I am pretty sure that Rodney doesn’t care what the skin colour is of any girls who want to date his son. So Hone calling someone else a redneck is ironic.

But as Michael Laws had to apologise for calling the GG fat, will Hone be made to apologise for his comments?

If the Maori Party does pull support, it could mean the current 2004 act would stay in place. Mr Key has previously said he would not make any changes if there was not a reasonable level of consensus and the Labour Party has not yet decided whether to support it further.

Would be rather embarrassing for the Maori Party if the status quo ends up remaining.

Mr Harawira has urged Maori to make submissions opposing the bill, saying it stops short of ownership for Maori and the threshold for customary title is too high, meaning most hapu would get nothing.

Most hapu will not get customary title indeed – because that is what the Court of Appeal found. The test was for uninterrupted exclusive use. The Court of Appeal never said the foreshore belongs to all Maori.

The Herald reports:

Firebrand Maori Party MP Hone Harawira is considering a tilt at the party’s leadership over the foreshore and seabed legislation, claims Ngapuhi academic and leader David Rankin.

At this point my radar tells me not to take it seriously. Rankin has a long history of making oddball claims.

Stuff reports:

Osama bin Laden would have more rights to own New Zealand’s coastland under new laws than Maori according to MP Hone Harawira.

The Marine and Coastal Area (Takitai Moana) Bill, which replaces the foreshore and seabed legislation, passed its first reading on Wednesday, and while four Maori Party MPs supported it, Harawira didn’t.

At a press conference at the marae at Auckland University today Harawira said: “If Osama Bin Laden was to come into the country – and that would be easy given the sort of people running our defence forces [a reference to the Stephen Wilce saga] – and buy a piece of the foreshore and seabed he would have more rights than Maori.

No he would not. He would have exactly the same rights as any other person (including Maori) who had purchased a parcel of land which includes a portion of the foreshore or seabed.

Hone is comparing the rights of Maori to the “common marine and coastal area” to the rights of owner or private land.  Again – he misses the core difference – people have purchased private title (including many Maori).

What Hone has done is like comparing the rights of Maori over a local public playground to the rights of a private owner of a section, and he is complaining that you can do stuff on private land, which you can’t do on the playground. He misses the point again that there is a difference between land you pay for and purchase, and land you do not.

As it happens, if an Iwi does gain customary title to part of the foreshore, they can do pretty much anything on it a private owner (who has paid for the title) can do – except two things. They can’t sell it, and they can’t exclude people from it. Both things that Iwi have said they don’t want to do.

The Dom Post reports:

The Maori Party co-leaders have been forced into damage control to defend their decision to support new foreshore and seabed legislation after party MP Hone Harawira pulled his vote.

The Marine and Coastal Area Bill will have its first reading today and although the Maori Party had agreed to cast all five votes in support of it, yesterday Mr Harawira said he would not allow his vote to be used.

Most politicians do not decide whether or not to vote for a bill, based on whether they are absolutely happy with it. Otherwise, no bills would ever get passed.

The usual test that MPs apply, is “does this bill improve the status quo” or will New Zealand be a better place if the bill passes, rather than not passes.

So by this test, Hone Harawira’s decision not to support the Marine and Coastal Area Bill, is politically inept – it is effectively saying he prefers Labour’s Foreshore & Seabed Act.

Now of course he does not. So why is he voting against – well basically because he can. It allows him to remain “pure”. He says he wants the entire foreshore and seabed held in Maori title.

Ironically Hone’s stance probably helps National. They can point to it, as showing they did not go too far.

But Hone’s stance is very unfair to his colleagues. Hone knows the bill can pass without him, so he has the luxury of voting against. But his colleagues are forced to deal with real  politik, and support the bill.

In terms of representing those with similar views to him, Hone is a very effective activist. But in terms of being able to achieve outcomes in Parliament, he is a pretty lousy MP. He puts his personal brand ahead of actually achieving things.

A friend of mine sent me the e-mail below, in response to my heated posts at what Hone Harawira said. He has given me permission to blog it:

Hi David

Have thought long and hard about saying something after reading your blog on Hone’s comments at the weekend.

I too disagree with Hone’s stance (yet another legacy of his mother) but, please be careful not to guild the lily to prove him wrong. Things are improving rapidly in terms of people being colour blind in good old Aotearoa/NZ. However, my observation and own personal experience tells me this is has been more in the last two decades and most particularly the last 10 years.

It was the 40s when my grandmother was refused a bank account in Te Awamutu because she was Maori. A young pakeha lawyer found her outside in the main street crying and asked her what was wrong. She told him and they got talking. He asked her what her maiden name was – Guildford. He took her back inside and they let her open an account in her maiden name.

Later that decade my father – her oldest son – got strapped at school for speaking Maori.

It was the 60s when my Dad experienced tension and discomfort when my mum’s family there was general unease about Maori and Pakeha getting together. Mum and Dad were lucky that her wonderful parents came round. That then saw them commented about in suburban Christchurch. It was at this time that they were both at teachers college and Dad was told: “Only one thing worse than a Maori teacher. Is one that thinks he’s clever.” Well, he was. A straight A student, letters in piano, and a fine singer.

This is within the “50 years ago” that you mentioned, but the legacy of such things still linger is my whanau.

However, it was only the mid to late 80s when I was banned from going into Cathedral Square in Christchurch. The city I was born in. Because it wasn’t safe for Maori to do so. I’m hardly the darkest hori you’ll ever come across.

That morphed in the 90s into a lot of non-Maori creating different categories of Maori. On a number of occasions I got comments like: “You’re not like those Maoris…. Bloody Maoris… Oh, but we don’t mean you.”

Yes things are changing. For the better. Most of that change has been in the last 30 years and most of that in the last decade. Lets not over ice the cake.

My correspondent is right that it is more the last two decades, that has seen racism become unacceptable, than the last 50 years. I regard true prejudice as so illogical and stupid, that I probably do tend to minimise that it does occur. And also there is a difference between life in urban Wellington and other parts of NZ.

Of course I stand by my point that you don’t fight prejudice with your own prejudice.

I regard myself lucky to have lived in this generation. Not only do we get air travel, the Internet etc, but we also live in a time when human rights have never been stronger.

It is amazing that only 100 or so years ago women were not even allowed to vote. Up until the 1970s Maori could not vote on the general roll. The US still had segregation up until the 1960s. It was basically a criminal offence to have gay sex up until the 1980s. I’m living through part of the change. Future generations will look back with bemusement at our history.

Audrey Young has an article, where the full transcript of what Hone said is included. I still think he has a very sad outlook on such things, but the full transcript does give a bit more context to his motivation which helps make more sense of it:

Derek says: In the lead up to this, Hone said he did not have many Pakeha friends and talked about giving out energy, and how when he gave out energy to Maori communities, it was all positive, but when it was for non-Maori, “a lot of it is completely barren”.

DC: What if one of your kids came home with a Pakeha, how would you feel about that?

HH: I wouldn’t feel comfortable.

DC: Why not?

HH: I just wouldn’t feel comfortable. That person will come into my house and not have a Maori expectation of how we operate. Do you know what I mean?

DC: Couldn’t you teach them that?

HH: Christ, like I have time for that. I don’t have time to be teaching people about that sort of stuff. We had this old Pakeha chap who died in our local community, and we brought him to our marae, and his mother came. She was really really old. And she stands up in the marae and she says,’this is wonderful. It’s the first marae I’ve ever been to’. She must have been 80-something. I think to myself,’for God’s sake’. You know what I mean?

I really don’t have time to be trying to teach people, aye. I’ve got [barely] enough time to teach my own, to teach myself. There’re some people who enjoy and are good at teaching non-Maori about Maori things. I’m not, so I don’t try. And I don’t try to bullshit anybody that I am, either.

This fuller version of what he said, does change things a bit. I still think anyone who generalises about an entire population based on their ethnicity is somewhat sad though.

The Herald reports:

The Human Rights Commission says Maori Party MP Hone Harawira needs to consider whether his personal feelings are helpful to race relations.

Good to have the HRC comment.

Mr Harawira said in a weekend newspaper interview he would not feel comfortable if one of his seven children brought home a Pakeha partner, and believed many Pakeha would feel the same about Maori.

Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres said members of the public had contacted the Human Rights Commission about the remarks.

He said Mr Harawira’s comments reflected an “unwelcome prejudice” toward Pakeha, adding that census statistics on babies’ ethnicities contradicted Mr Harawira’s views.

It is prejudice. Especially as it was painted purely negatively towards Pakeha. If Hone had said he prefers his children to date Maori as it helps keeps the Maori culture alive, that would be somewhat different. But he basically said he does not want them dating whiteys – would have no problems with Pacific Islanders.

Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples said the remarks were not racist and probably mirrored the feelings of many people. …

“I think it’s just not divisive at all. It’s a view point.”

Not racist and not divisive?

So if a Caucasian Member of Parliament came out and said that he would not want his children to date Maori or Pacific Islanders, that would not be racist, and that would not be divisive?

I’m very disappointed. If the Maori Party ever talk about prejudice or racism, then their words are going to be rather hollow in future.

Think what would have happened in this scenario.

A European/Pakeha Member of Parliament is quoted as saying he would not be comfortable if his children dated a Maori.

And then upon further questioning, he said that he wouldn’t have a problem if they dated an American or an Australian, but would not want them dating either a Maori or a Pacific Islander.

I don’t think I am wrong in saying it would be the lead item on TV news. It would be on the front page of every newspaper. The Race Relations Conciliator would have condemned it. A dozen activists would have complained to the Human Rights Commission. Every major newspaper would have condemned the MP in editorials and there would be many calls for them to be sacked.

I’m not saying Hone should be sacked. In fact I will give him his dues that he doesn’t bullshit and says what he believes – no matter what. That is a rare quality in politics.

But I do think he is getting off too lightly from what was a pretty awful thing to say. He’s really abandoned all rights to talk about prejudice, when he declares skin colour matters to him, in terms of whom his children date. Even sadder was he seems to think most Pakeha thing the same as him – only in reverse.

We don’t Hone.

Now the media have not been totally silent on Hone. Rather than get out the editorial condemnation that would if it was a non-Maori MP, they have done the easy thing and asked the PM what he thinks, which the Herald reports:

Prime Minister John Key says it is “ridiculous” that MP Hone Harawira would not be happy about his children dating Pakeha. …

Mr Key said he found Mr Harawira’s views ridiculous.

“It depends on you as an individual but I wouldn’t care what ethnicity my kids dated as long as they are happy.”

Asked if he would be happy for his children to date Mr Harawira’s, he quipped: “I guess it would make the wedding an interesting thing, wouldn’t it.

But as long as they were happy, yep.”

Well that would be one way to keep the Maori Party onside – a Key-Harawira wedding.

Mr Key said he had met one of Mr Harawira’s daughters at an art college in Gisborne.

“She seemed a really nice girl, so yes, if Max wants to date her, she’s a bit older than him, though.”

Stephie Key is 17 and Max is 15.

Oh God poor Max. Having his dad talk about potential dates for him.

While the story is amusing, it shouldn’t just be about what the PM thinks on this issue. It should be about whether it is acceptable for any Member of Parliament to openly express prejudice like Hone did.

I guess you can say better to be open about your prejudices, then hide them. And again I do credit Hone with that. But I think it is again a very sad view point he has that race is more important to him than the qualities any individual person may have.

Derek Cheng has done an interesting interview and profile on Hone Harawira. There’s one part that caught my attention:

So how would Harawira feel if one of his seven children came home with a Pakeha partner?

“I wouldn’t feel comfortable. Like all Pakehas would be happy with their daughters coming home with a Maori boy – and the answer is they wouldn’t.

What a very sad view on society – and also a wrong one. I do not believe the majority of Pakeha would care one bit about whether their daughter or sisters dated a Maori. Maybe 50 years ago, but certainly not today.

Historically also, Maori and Pakeha have married each other in great numbers – to the point that it is thought no living New Zealander has 100% Maori ancestry.

I know for myself that I would have absolutely no discomfort over a family member dating someone who happens to be Maori. Just as I wouldn’t care if they dated someone with blue eyes.

Hone obviously sees people’s group affiliations as more important than who they are as an individual. I think it is a very sad way to view life and society.

“That’s just the reality of the world. Let’s not cry about it. Let’s just live with it and move on.”

But it isn’t. Maybe it is Hone’s word, but it sure as hell isn’t how the world works for most of us.

Some of his whanau have dated Pacific Islanders and he didn’t have an issue with it. Does that make him prejudiced?

“Probably, but how many people don’t have prejudices? I’m just like every other New Zealander, except I’m comfortable in recognising that prejudice exists.”

It clearly is prejudice. Hone is saying that skin colour matters. And there are probably some elderly Pakeha who agree with him. But the tragedy is Hone legitimises such prejudices rather than tries to end them. And prejudice does end, or at least greatly diminish. Look at the massive change in attitudes about women over the last 100 years?

The Dom Post reports the winners of the weight loss challenge amongst Maori MPs:

• Tau Henare – from 104 kg to 96 kg – 8 kgs
• Mita Ririnui – from 100 kg to 92 kg – 8 kgs
• Kelvin Davis – from 113 kg to 106 kg – 7 kgs
• Shane Jones – from 109 kg to 103 kg – 6 kg
• Simon Bridges – from 88 kg to 86 kg – 2 kg
• Parekura Horomia – from 155 kg to did not report
• Hone Harawira – from 107 kg to did not report
• Paul Quinn – from 112 kg to did not report