Statement from the Maori Party
Wednesday 2 December 2009
Te Ururoa Flavell (Party whip)

The Maori Party has reached resolution of the process of whakahou wairua which is a process that restores the spirit of all those who have been affected by a particular action.

A meeting was held on Tuesday night, which followed on from the reconciliation process with the people of Te Tai Tokerau electorate last weekend. Our member from Te Tai Tokerau electorate has acknowledged his responsibilities for the damaging effects of his actions on the Maori Party and its supporters, his parliamentary colleagues and the nation as a whole.

We acknowledge that people make mistakes and we from time to time, err. By drawing on kaupapa embodied in its Constitution; the Maori Party has designed a process of resolution which comes from the recognition of hurt and the determination to move forward.

The Party in recognising the hurt that statements have caused, hopes that this apology moves some way to righting a wrong. We acknowledge the wrong.

We have found the strength to exercise compassion while reminding ourselves of the need for individual and collective discipline –mana motuhake– and of the high expectations of our membership of us as Maori Party Members of Parliament.

While the focus has been on the actions of one MP the party itself recognises the need for collective responsibility in all it says and does. We have agreed, as a caucus, to commit to a kawa for members of parliament, a series of guiding protocols to ensure we act in accordance with kaupapa tuku iho. Our people expect that of us, and we will be working actively to achieve those high standards.

Hone has asked for time to engage again in the many tasks required of representing Te Tai Tokerau and this has been granted until the end of the parliamentary year.

2010 is a new year. We intend to build on lessons learnt and consolidate the gains that have been made in the short time of our relationship agreement with the National Party; while at the same time strengthening our relationships with each other.

An apology
Hone Harawira
Wednesday 02 December 2009

Last night I met with my caucus colleagues, and I heard first hand the pain and the suffering that they have had to go through because of the senseless comments I made in an email a few weeks back, and for that I apologise.

The Maori Party has built up a good deal of credibility and goodwill during our first four years in the house, and has a vital role to play in building new pathways for our nation. My comments have derailed much of that credibility and set back our efforts to build bridges for our people into the future, and for that I apologise.

I also recognise the responsibility that I carry as a leader within Maoridom and I apologise most sincerely to all young Maori, and especially to our mokopuna, for the bad example that I have set by my comments.

I apologise also to those New Zealanders, both Maori and Pakeha, and particularly women, who have been offended by my comments. They were insensitive, they were hurtful, they were unnecessary, and I apologise for the grief and anguish that they have caused.

Hone Harawira

Kawa Mema Paremata

He kaipupuri tatou mo te ha o te reo Maori me te mauri o tona mana motuhake ki roto I te whare paremata.

Koia nei me toka tu moana tatou, maro te tu kore rawa mo te neke kai mimiti tona tapu me tona mana kia memeha noa.

Na reira kua waihangatia ai he kawa, hai pai here i a tatou, kia tau noa te wairua o te ngakau mahaki o te whakaiti ki waenganui i a tatou oti atu.

1. He mana rua tatou, he wahine he tane, me piritahi aua mana nei, me korero, ka tau.

2. He kaimahi tatou ma te iwi,
Mona tatou ka ora
Mona tatou ka mana
Mona tatou ka hinga

3. He mea whiriwhiri, he mea korerorero he mea whakatau ki waenga i a tatou i te tuatahi, katahi te kupu ka mana hei tuku atu ki te iwi.

4. Puritia te ha o te wairua o te paati Maori me ona rarangi kaupapa tae atu ki ona putake, hai whakataki i a tatou, ahakoa piki, ahakoa heke.

5. Ara te mea mohio taunga noa ki roto i te mahi hai tauira, hai pouwhirinaki ma te tauhou. Ara te tauhou, hai poipoi, hai tiaki ma te mea mohio.

6. Me piripono tetahi ki tetahi.
Hei pouwhirinaki te wawahi

7. Taupatupatutia ki muri te kitea atu whakaaro kotahi ki mua ki te aroaro o te tangata.

8. Tawharautia tatou ki te korowai o te tika me te pai.

9. He wa mou he wa moku ko au ki muri ko koe ki mua ko au ki mua ko koe ki muri.
Tena me ona Pukenga
Tena me ona Pukenga
Tautokona

10 Kokiritia ai nga take ki roto I te kotahitanga.

Kawa for Members of Parliament.

We are the keepers of the essence of the Māori voice, the voice of independence within Parliament.

Therefore we must be resolute in upholding the prestige and sanctity of our voice lest it weakens and loses integrity.

To this end a set of guiding protocols has been formulated to ensure we act in unity with humble heart come what may.

1. Our co-leaders are male and female who shall work as one in the decision making.

2. We are servants of the people. We live for the people. It is the people that mandate us. Tis the people that sustain us so that we don’t fall.

3. A process of discussion, exchange of ideas shall be followed in making decisions prior to public pronouncements.

4. We must be relentless in holding true to the essence of the Māori Party, our kaupapa and our beliefs which are our guiding principles in good times and in bad times.

5. Amongst us are those that offer the hand of experience the stalwarts who guide those new to the role. It is incumbent upon us to nurture and look after those who are new.

6. We must be dependable and loyal to one another. Bastions of trust and reliance that will never be torn asunder.

7. Our squabbles and disputes shall be conducted behind closed doors and a united front before the people.

8. Shroud ourselves with a cloak of justness and goodness.

9. There are times when each of us with our respective skills shall take the lead and times when we play a support role. Be staunch and dependable in supporting one another.

10. Advance the interests of the people in unity.

ENDS

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