Transferring The Vote

Hone Harawira MP - Te Reo Motuhake o Te Tai Tokerau

The agreement between me and the Maori Party included, at the request of the party, the right for them to cast my votes in my absence from the house. However, with most of my votes being more aligned with the Green Party, the Maori Party asked whether I wanted to transfer the right to cast my votes to the Greens.

Having spoken with the Greens I am happy to say that we have reached an agreement whereby they cast my votes and ask any questions that have been allocated to me, when I am unable to be in the house.

I am grateful for their support because it means that I don't need to be in the house for every vote on every reading of every bill, amendment and motion, although as with the Marine and Coastal Area Bill, I will ensure that I am in the house for all major bills affecting Maori.

On top of that, I am pleased to announce that a top research unit has agreed to help out with analyses of all issues coming before the house so that I can maintain the independent position that Maori people tell me they are no longer getting from the Maori Party.

Those arrangements will mean I can keep on top of my parliamentary responsibilities, as well as spend more time in my electorate, and respond to requests to attend meetings around the country to talk about my political future and the possibility of new party - an issue which will be determined one way or the other, at a special meeting to be held at 12pm Saturday 30 April 2011 at Mahurehure Marae in Point Chevalier in Auckland.

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