Hone claims victory for Maori Party's hui u-turn

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Hone claims win for Sharples' hui u-turn

3News NZ

Despite his "ni**er" comment, Hone says: “We have to be a lot more mature about the words we use in society" (pic: AAP)

Despite his "ni**er" comment, Hone says: “We have to be a lot more mature about the words we use in society" (pic: AAP)

Mana Party leader Hone Harawira says his “house ni***r” comment on Facebook yesterday led to the Maori Party’s u-turn on attending a hui on water ownership.

Despite admitting his choice of words was questionable, Mr Harawira is claiming victory for convincing Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples to attend.

Dr Sharples’ office confirmed he is likely to attend the Maori King’s hui on water ownership being held next Thursday.

This is despite fellow co-leader Tariana Turia previously saying she didn’t see any point in her party going because it's for iwi.

Mr Harawira says his “nigger” comment got the ball rolling which led to the change.

“Not my [Facebook] post but certainly the reaction to my post,” he told Firstline’s Rachel Smalley.

“After my criticism, the very next morning, Pita Sharples says ‘we haven’t met to decide yet’ and by yesterday afternoon, he’d decided he was coming.”

He says another commentator has called the Maori Party ‘stupid’ for not going to the hui.

“The criticism has been overwhelming against the Maori Party for refusing [to go].”

Mr Harawira says his choice of words was questionable and he should have given it more thought.
“But I wanted to get the message out there in a way that anybody could understand it.”

“We have to be a lot more mature about the words we use in society,” he says.

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Comments

11/09/2012 1:54:16 p.m.

Ripeka wrote:

Good on you Hone, it's about time the friggen Maori Party got their asses and started representing Maori, have they forgotten how they got there.

10/09/2012 11:50:29 a.m.

mal wrote:

@ RAY. Maori DO HAVE WATER RIGHTS! How hard is this for you to understand.

9/09/2012 7:45:44 a.m.

Ray wrote:

Water belongs to no on hone it was here long before the Maoris arrived so go and get knoted

8/09/2012 12:27:47 a.m.

Isaac wrote:

You have my whole hearted support Hone. I can only empathise with you in your battle against the status quo, the sheep who no longer need a sheep dog to control them. Be strong as those before. In an unsustainable fractional reserve banking system the day is fast approaching that we of this land will be forced to truly live in a community united, free to utilise our resources for all. We must retain it all, to hell with the IMF, Globalization, Corporate profit and those who bow before it.

7/09/2012 9:52:53 p.m.

alex wrote:

Alabama plantation owner.lol.hes about right tho.

7/09/2012 5:46:30 p.m.

Gary wrote:

Well done Hone - it needed a strong stance to create reaction against John Keys destruction of NZ. If you had not took such a stance none of the Maori party would attend as that would give JK more weight to ignore the hui. I just can not understand why Tariana would not go?? We are all seeing how little JK cares for NZ - basically he does not give a stuff just uses his position to strengthen his share prices at any cost to the people. Well not long now and he will be out of NZ probably go to U.S.

7/09/2012 4:21:59 p.m.

Gosh wrote:

Pita will do as he pleases, how does that cast a good reflection on Hone?? Weird.

7/09/2012 3:09:40 p.m.

Dan wrote:

However degrading Hones comments may have been, New Zealand needs to get back to the issue at hand and ask the real questions. Pita Sharples attending the hui is a plus, maori can at least have confidence in him knowing hes going whatever the outcome. Unfortunately the same can't be said about john..is he willing to break the law? Why has he only given 5 weeks for 'talks' with 'particular iwi'? Putting time frames and being selective of certain Maori groups he chooses to have talks with is not what i would call a partner working in good faith with the other. An important issue like this needs careful and lengthy consideration and should not be rushed by any party.

7/09/2012 1:00:35 p.m.

Pitball wrote:

The sqeeky wheel gets the oil. Now the English speaking people are not invited to the opening of the new Aranui library. An invitation circular was addressed to locals in several languages except English.

7/09/2012 12:57:42 p.m.

rob wrote:

Why you guys continue to give this idiot (hone) coverage is beyond me. He is a detriment to NZ and should fired asap. What an embarrassment of people we have running our country, no wonder most leave.