Outspoken Maori activist Titewhai Harawira could be banned from Te Tii Marae in Waitangi, after the marae board accused her of "political poncing" and the "rancidification of Maori protocols".
Outspoken Maori activist Titewhai Harawira could be banned from Te Tii Marae in Waitangi, after the marae board accused her of "political poncing" and the "rancidification of Maori protocols".
Mrs Harawira reportedly tried to disrupt a recent hui at the marae, calling Maori Party delegates "snakes" and "bloody liars" as they discussed whether to contest a by-election or election in the Te Tai Tokerau seat held by her son, former party member Hone Harawira,
Marae board chairman Te Hapae Ashby and his deputy, Eruera Taurua, were among seven board members who wrote in an email that Mrs Harawira's behaviour during the hui was a blatant breach of Maori protocol.
"The hate tactics being used to create dissension within the Ngapuhi tribe and division with the subtribes, and the taint of her foul language in our house of ancestors, on a marae which is significant to both Maori and Pakeha, is not acceptable."
The marae would not be a "dumping ground for personal agendas" any longer, they said.
"The political poncing and resultant rancidification of Maori protocols by bullies who want everything their own way by whatever foul means, are not traits that this particular board would wish to have our children and young adults perceive as being the Ngapuhi way forward."
Trespass notices would be issued if the board felt it necessary, they said.
Mrs Harawira told the New Zealand Herald she had not used any salty language and a potential ban did not faze her.
"One of the tikanga [protocols] people need to learn about the marae is that those challenges happen and you leave them on the marae. You leave them there with our tupuna [ancestors] and that's it."
