John Tamihere Media Statement
Member of Parliament for Tämaki Mäkaurau

15 September 2005

Tamihere shocked at Sharples’ methods

Tamaki Makaurau MP John Tamihere is calling on Pita Sharples to apologise for mistreating one of Mr Tamihere’s campaign workers.

“The 16 year old campaign worker was repairing my damaged placards and hoarding on Wednesday night. In an act I do not condone, he was also attaching ‘Vote Tamihere’ stickers to Maori Party hoardings.

“However, the treatment meted out to the youth, when discovered by members of Dr Sharples’ campaign team, were completely out of proportion. He alleges he was threatened, assaulted and kidnapped before being forced to make a statement on video.

“We are talking about a 16 year old boy. He alleges he was held for seven hours through the middle of the night by Dr Sharples and members of his team. The boy felt intimidated and terrified.

“Whatever the boy did – for which I apologise – he did not deserve to be treated in this way. If Dr Sharples thought the boy had done something wrong, he should have pursued it through official channels. Instead, the alleged actions read like something out a mafia movie. For an aspiring Member of Parliament, that is appalling. Dr Sharples should apologise forthwith and unreservedly,” Mr Tamihere concluded.

ENDS

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