Iwi leader says Harawira 'hypocritical" over Taser stance

Ngapuhi leader and academic, David Rankin, says that Maori Party MP Hone Harawira's opposition to the Police using tasers is hypocritical. Particularly as Mr Harawira has referred to the UN to support his argument.

"What I want to know", says Mr. Rankin, "is why has Mr. Harawira been silent for seventeen years over the issue of his mother torturing Maori psychiatric patients, in breach of the UN Conventions on torture, and now, he suddenly is growing a conscience when it comes to thugs and criminals being tasered. Where are his priorities?"

Mr. Rankin suspects that the Maori MP's latest outburst is part of the party's effort to get Maori support through attacking the Police.

"I think it is despicable that a Member of Parliament could doubt the integrity of the entire New Zealand Police force for the sake of trying to score a few cheap political points. If Mr. Harawira had any credibility, he would be addressing the problems of child and drug abuse in our communities, and not grandstanding in this way", says Mr. Rankin.

"Mr. Harawira may be in for a shock in the polls if he continues to attack everyone and fails to identify and solutions".

ENDS

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