Harawira does 'penance' at gay bar opening

Mana Party leader Hone Harawira has made a point of attending a gay Auckland function, in the wake of the heavy criticism he and other Maori politicians faced for speaking at Destiny Church.

The Tai Tokerau by-election candidate seemed relaxed at the re-opening of Ponsonby Rd's Lolabar last night, chatting with members of the gay community.

Harawira told GayNZ.com Daily News that he was attending to do penance for his controversial visit to Destiny Church. "I got such a lot of shit from my relations, takataapui relations. I said 'look, don't just flak me on the Facebook – invite me to something and I can turn up and have a chat'." He made it clear he will go where he is invited and is likely to have whanau. "I've got whanau here," he said.

Harawira said he has a number of gay people working on his team and in his family and extended family, "so far be it from me to not come. But this ain't usually my normal hangout, I've got to say," he laughed.

He says his door is always open for members of the gay, lesbian and transgender community. "Because if I'm not approachable, mate the Facebook knows about it, so why try and close the door?"

Harawira was flanked by gay political junkie and divisive community figure Jevan Goulter, who has become a Mana Party supporter and is among those helping Harawira with his by-election campaign. He said he is not worried about feeling confident about the by-election, he is simply concerned about putting in the work. "I've got people like Jevan and lots of other people doing everything they can – and I'm working as hard as I can. And if it comes the day it happens, then I'll owe a lot of people a lot of thanks. If it doesn't happen I'll just go fishing."

Jevan Goulter. Interview by Jacque Stanford - Gaynz.com.

© Scoop Media