Harawira hearing under way

A hui considering a complaint against maverick Maori MP Hone Harawira has started -- but the party president and the man who laid the complaint, Te Ururoa Flavell aren't there.

The complaint, backed by other members of the Maori Party parliamentary caucus, was over Mr Harawira's criticism of his party's support of the National Government.

About 100 people, including many constituents of Mr Harawira's Te Tai Tokerau electorate, have gathered at the Whakapara Marae, about 23km north of Whangarei, along with a large media contingent.

Signs saying "Hone's the man" and "change the leadership" are posted outside the marae.

The fact Mr Flavell, party president Pem Bird and Maori Party co-leaders Pita Sharples and Tariana Turia were not at the hui means it is unlikely to reach any resolution today.

The complaint centred over a column in the Sunday Star-Times column, where Mr Harawira said the Maori Party had become too wrapped up in its coalition and put up with policies that harmed Maori.

Today's hui was organised to address the complaint, however, Mr Bird told NZPA neither he nor Mr Flavell had been invited and they would not be attending.

Mr Bird said an email he had received from the Te Tai Tokerau electorate committee did not give a specific location or time for the meeting.

"The purpose of the meeting we agreed would be to try and resolve the complaint at the Tai Tokerau level, for that to happen Mr Flavell has to be present," he said.

"It is disappointing because the first step in the process from day one was to inform Tai Tokerau that a complaint had been received and to let them know that this meeting today was important.

"It's been with Tai Tokerau since last Wednesday, the responsibility to act was with them.

"Mr Bird he had asked for the electorate committee to report back to him about the outcome of today's meeting.

Speaking on Radio New Zealand this morning, Mr Harawira said he stood by the column and Mr Key's state of the nation speech yesterday did not touch on Maori issues and that showed his concerns were valid.

Mr Key told reporters this morning that his speech had only addressed one part of the Government's agenda and that he would speak about broader policies in his statement to Parliament next month.

"I don't think we can be criticised for not being engaged with Maori, that's why we formed a relationship with the Maori Party, and if Hone believes in that then maybe he should stay with them."