Hone Harawira on Coastal and Marine Area Bill

“Today’s a good day to make a statement about major Maori issues,” said Hone Harawira, Maori Party MP for Tai Tokerau, “because today is Independence Day - the anniversary of the signing of Te Wakaputanga o Te Rangatiratanga o Nu Tireni, the Declaration of Independence of New Zealand, signed on 28 October 1835 by 34 chiefs of the north, to proclaim the sovereign authority of the independent tribes of Aotearoa.

“And today’s also a good day to thank everyone for all the support I’ve had from Māori Party members and Maori people generally over my opposition to this new Foreshore and Seabed bill has been huge, and from all round the country too.”

“Kuia hug me and whisper in my ear to be strong, kaumatua tell me ‘good on you for sticking up for what’s right boy’, and ordinary Maori are quick to remind me that ’we put you guys in there to get our takutaimoana back bro’ – don’t sell out!’ Geez, even Pakeha who don’t agree with me tell me they like the fact that I stand up for what I believe in.

“It’s all been very humbling actually.

“So I’m at peace with the stand I have taken to oppose the bill, to reject the legal tests designed to keep us from getting our foreshore and seabed back, and to defend our right to Maori title.

“My stand is based on the reasons we marched in the first place, and it fits perfectly with the party’s kaupapa of mana whenua and rangatiratanga.

“I’m disappointed that my colleagues didn’t see it my way, and although I’ve tried to stay out of all the fuss about the difference of opinion, I was gutted when I got pulled from the Select Committee hearings on the Takutaimoana bill because I wouldn’t support it. Sure - I put on the party face, but it cut all the same.

“I mean - I did the business on the Tobacco Inquiry even though everyone knew what my point of view was before it started, and I know I could have done the business on the Takutaimoana Bill as well.

“I guess the co-leaders had staked themselves to the government on this one, and didn’t want me pointing up the differences.

And that’s a pity really, because I’m not the only one opposing it, and while they may have pulled me from the Committee it’s unlikely to stop growing Maori opposition to this bill.

ENDS

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