The name Harawira has been hogging the headlines at Waitangi.
Titewhai's battle to escort the Prime Minister, and her whanau's efforts to support her have been dominating media coverage.
Titewhai's son, and Mana Party leader Hone Harawira, has also been vocal in his support.
“I think [the issue of Ms Harawira escorting John Key] was an absolute distraction," Mr Harawira told Firstline this morning. "
I think it should have been left to the marae committee and in particular to the women, I think the women sorted it out relatively quickly and it should have been left at that level some time ago rather than raised the day before Waitangi.
"That being said, in terms of peace and robustness I think it’s been far more peaceful than it has in many, many years gone by and robust discussion is what Waitangi is all about.
“It’s not just about coming and saying nice polite things but to be focussing on the isues that are important to Maori.”
Mr Harawira says the current issues that need to be addressed are the treaty settlement process, the issue of water and the status of the treaty after the settlements are over.
The best way to confront these issues, says Mr Harawira, is to “engage openly in discussion”.
Watch the video to see the full interview.
3 News