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Harawira, Carter give votes to Greens

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Thu, 14 Apr 2011 12:57p.m.

Hone Harawira

Hone Harawira

Independent MP Hone Harawira has agreed to have the Green Party cast his vote when he is absent from Parliament.

The Tai Tokerau MP quit the Maori Party in February before its national council ruled on a disciplinary committee recommendation to expel him.

He agreed to give his proxy vote to the Maori Party when he left, but has now broken all ties with the party by giving it to the Greens.

Mr Harawira said since most of his votes were aligned with the Greens, the Maori Party asked whether he wanted to transfer it.

"Having spoken with the Greens I am happy to say that we have reached an agreement whereby they cast my votes and ask any questions that have been allocated to me, when I am unable to be in the house."

Independent Chris Carter also gave his proxy vote to the Green Party, after Labour expelled him.

Mr Harawira said the Greens' support meant he did not have to be in the House for every vote, although he would be present for all major bills affecting Maori.

"Those arrangements will mean I can keep on top of my parliamentary responsibilities, as well as spend more time in my electorate, and respond to requests to attend meetings around the country to talk about my political future and the possibility of new party."

A decision on the new party was expected to be made in Auckland on April 30.

NZPA

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Comments

15 Apr 2011 01:07p.m.

Ruz wrote:

I can understand why Harawira has given his vote to the Greens because his split from the Maori party was based on genuinely held differences about policy direction. The Greens are probably closer to Harawira's stance of the foreshore and seabed matter. Carter on the other hand is a disgraced MP who should simply quit. He has put self-interest at the top of his agenda and giving his vote to the Greens to "pay back" Labour and Goff. Before he is a "goneburger" in November he perhaps should have given his vote to the United Future party as Peter Dunne is another MP who is only in it for himself.

15 Apr 2011 09:21a.m.

Ngati Porou wrote:

I think the Greens stance on the foreshore bill and their stance on the drilling on the East Coast will strike a chord with many Maori. Harawira may not be the last to switch their allegiences from the Maori Party to the Greens. And who knows, the Greens may have enough votes for Labour to form a coalition. Maybe Key's seat isn't as safe as I thought lol

14 Apr 2011 05:06p.m.

Barney wrote:

At least they will remember to vote.