Sat, 07 Nov 2009 5:44p.m.
By Scott Campbell
Firebrand Maori Party MP Hone Harawira is tonight answering to his party president and pleading his case as to why he should be allowed to stay on in its ranks.
He is being forced to explain why he took a day trip to Paris instead of attending to official duties and why he sent an email filled with expletives and offensive comments.
Mr Harawira was happy to smile for the camera today, just not to talk to it, staying tight-lipped.
Mr Harawira was this afternoon called back to Wellington from his home in the Far North, to face the music with Maori Party president Whata Winata.
The maverick MP told 3 News he was in for a smack on the hand, but did not know what else lay ahead for him, or whether his future in Parliament is in the balance.
"Everything I do as MP for Te Tai Tokerau is important, but no comment."
But it is just what he was doing as an MP in Europe that has him in trouble.
After skipping official meetings to take a day sightseeing in Paris with his wife, Mr Harawira sent a critical voter a racist and expletive filled email. It has been described by some as deeply offensive, and race relations commissioner Joris de Bres said the language was unhelpful.
But a leading Maori academic is backing him.
"Mr Harawira is a straight-talking person, and if you challenge him and take him on you'd better be prepared for some colourful language and a strong response to debate the issue," says Dr Ranginui Walker.
Dr Walker believes Mr Harawira should be reprimanded by his party, but not thrown out.
3 News understands Mr Harawira has yet to be contacted by either of his bosses, Pita Sharples or Tariana Turia. They don't appear to be standing by him - in fact, Ms Turia has gone as far as criticising him for abusing his power as an MP, and his behaviour has upset a coalition ally.
"More seriously was the undertone that there was a race-based element, that some how because Pakeha allegedly ripped the Maori off for years, its sort of okay to do it in reverse," says Peter Dunne. "I think that would be regarded by most people as pretty unacceptable and pretty inaccurate."
The Maori Party have refused to comment further, but say they are on the verge of disciplining Mr Harawira, and that could mean expulsion from its ranks.
3 News understands there is deep division in the party, and while Mr Harawira is unlikely to be sacked, how long he will remain part of it is the question.
3 News