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Harawira says plenty support for new party


Independent MP Hone Harawira says he has received plenty of support for a possible new political party.

NZPA and NBR staff
Tue, 08 Mar 2011

Independent MP Hone Harawira says he has received plenty of support for a possible new political party.

Mr Harawira last month quit the Maori Party before its national council ruled on a disciplinary committee recommendation to expel him. He fell out with his party when his caucus colleague Te Ururoa Flavell made a complaint over Mr Harawira's outspoken criticism of the party's relationship with the Government and accusations it was supporting anti-Maori policies.

Mr Harawira was back in Parliament today, for its first sitting since he left the party.

Speaking to media, he said he had thought a deal signed with the Maori Party meant he would be given an office the eighth floor of Bowen House and that he would take Craig Foss' seat, near the front of Parliament.

Instead, he said he had a new office in "Siberia" and a seat where he could get "no camera limelight whatsoever".

"(The Maori Party) haven't followed through with it, that's disappointing," he said.

"I think we're all old enough to know that if the party says 'we'd like to make this arrangement' it can be made, even in terms of the offices."

Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples said it was for the Speaker, Dr Lockwood Smith, to determine where MPs sat in Parliament.

"We don't have any control over those issues, no matter what he said was part of the deal. Where he sits and where his office is determined by the Speaker."

Mr Harawira said he was continuing to think about forming a new party.

"I haven't come up with anything solid yet, simply to say a lot of people are interested, a lot of organisations are keen, a lot of support is coming in."

Any new party would have to be Maori led and Maori focused, he said.

"I'm a Maori activist at the end of the day, and best I stay that way."

The second reading of the controversial Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Bill, which will repeal the Foreshore and Seabed Act, is to take place today.

Mr Harawira, who strongly opposes the bill, has been given a slot by the Labour Party to speak about it in Parliament.

NZPA and NBR staff
Tue, 08 Mar 2011
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Harawira says plenty support for new party
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