Will there be Mana in the House...

There will be MANA in the house ? At long last!

"Something very important happened on Saturday night. For the first time in nearly a century, a revolutionary was elected to the New Zealand Parliament." - Chris Trotter, 28 June 2011



At 2pm on Thursday 14 July 2011, Hone Harawira will be called back into the house where he will be sworn in and take his seat as the leader of MANA, Movement of the People.



Following his swearing in, Hone will give his first speech as MANA leader and its first MP. All supporters of MANA are invited to join with his whanau from the Tai Tokerau to celebrate this wonderful occasion

Voxy NZ

KR says:

Well, thats the opinion of Voxy, but I'm waiting for the general elections. A good win there for Mr Mana could well see a change in the political system here in NZ. A wonderful occasion? I think that is a little premature. The great political redeemer, champion of the poor? I remember Hone as the rascist big-mouth Maori seperatist son of Titiiwhai the rabid female rabble-rouser with a doubtful past . Does a leopard change its spots? Bullshit and jellybeans, perhaps!

Hone and Mana - become a leader with real mana...

Hone and Mana- become a leader with real mana...

Please view: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6O13SpVjePY


Well that was the easy part Hone Harawira. You have done all the talking, the big-mouthing and the audacious. You are no longer a Maori Party MP for the North - Te Tai Tokerau, but leader of the Mana Party. You now claim to be the representative of the poor and disadvantaged, Maori or Pakeha. Well there are just a few months to the general elections.  You took a margin of thousands and reduced it to hundreds. You now have real opposition in the form of Labour's Kelvin Davis, and you will be out of a job if you lose to him in November. If you win and win well, you could be joined by some compadres in the House of Representatives. You could also be a catalyst for change in government. Phil Goff said he won't work with you in a coalition, but if Goff found he could become prime minister,  he'll find some place on the front benches for the leader of Mana with some real mana?

Don Brash is another Hitler - Hone Harawira...

Don Brash is another Hitler - Hone Harawira


Harawira again compared Brash to Hitler, echoing comments he first made six years ago.



"The politics you talk about are very much like Hitler's, Don. You target Maori very much like Hitler targetted the Jews. You are aiming to destroy us the same way that others haved done.”



Brash he was "absolutely not" a racist.



"I am not trying to destroy Maori at all," he said.



The two came head to head this evening on TVNZ's Close Up, with the match-up chaired by host Mark Sainsbury.



Harawira launched his new Mana Party at the weekend, while Brash is making a comeback to New Zealand politics.



Brash and Harawira have clashed in the past.



Harawira first compared Brash in 2005 to Hitler, saying: "Hitler had plans for the Jews. Pauline Hanson had similar plans for the Aboriginal people of Australia. Don Brash wants Maori to be subsumed within the larger culture of this country and to become one people."



At the time Brash said he found the comparison "really offensive".



Brash said he would "probably" stand in a seat but hadn't picked one yet.



Acknowledgements: The Dominion Post

If the polls are even worse, Goff will be off...

Image by Getty Images via @daylifeIf the polls are even worse, Goff will be off...

Goff has handled the " Darren Hughes affair" badly and may yet be deposed as leader of the NZ Labour Party.

The question to be asked is this: If Labour can't win the elections with Goff as leader, why keep him on?

I believe a change in leadership would give Labour a huge boost -  it is because Goff is seen as a loser.

With the right leader Labour can still win with coalition partners. National may not have any partners.

Act NZ will be very lucky to continue as a political party in Parliament, and the Maori Party will be well censored by their voters this year. They may end up with only two MP's. And Hone Harawira may throw in his lot as a coalition partner of Labour, along with the Greens, and NZ First. Jim Anderton will be replaced by a Labour MP this year, because he is not standing any more. He will retire. And blame the first Christchurch earthquake for Jim not winning the mayoralty down there.

Related articles

• No longer if but when and who (homepaddock.wordpress.com)
• "Why Phil Goff is safe... and from whom" and related posts (pundit.co.nz)
• MMP gives party too much power and makes them impotent (homepaddock.wordpress.com)
• MMP gives parties too much power and makes them impotent (homepaddock.wordpress.com)
• Goff refuses to rule out Harawira as coalition parnter (nzherald.co.nz)
• Spot the contradiction (homepaddock.wordpress.com)
• Goff gives Labour's kaumatua time-up signal (nzherald.co.nz)
• Goff says he would work with Harawira (nzherald.co.nz)

Maori Party leaders ban discussion on Hone Harawira...

Image via Wikipedia
Maori Party leaders ban discussion on Hone Harawira...

Maori Party co-leaders Tariana Turia and Pita Sharples. (Right)
Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia says the ban on discussing matters involving MP Hone Harawira comes from their party organisation.

Party president Pem Bird has announced a complete media ban until the disciplinary process for Mr Harawira is complete next week.

Mrs Turia says she's had nothing to do with that process or whether it needs to be open and accountable.

"To be honest with you, I haven't given it any thought given that I haven't been party to any of that process," she said.

Acknowledgements:   Newstalk ZB


So this is what a dead dwarf star looks like?  No wonder Hone Harawira questions his future there?

Related articles

• Harawira suspended (kiwiblog.co.nz)
• Harawira suspension follows years of disunity - Fox (nzherald.co.nz)
• Stick to party, Sharples tells voters (nzherald.co.nz)
• John Armstrong: Expulsion next or Harawira could blow party asunder (nzherald.co.nz)
• Harawira wins reprieve as panel delays decision (nzherald.co.nz)

Maori Party faces new rebellion - are they dog tucker?

Image via Wikipedia

Maori Party faces new rebellion  -  are they dog tucker?



Tamaki Makaurau elders have moved a vote of no confidence in the party's support for the Marine and Coastal Area Bill


Maori Party leaders are facing a rebellion from some of their strongest supporters, over the new Marine and Coastal Area Bill.

Tamaki Makaurau elders have moved a vote of no confidence saying the party's support for the new legislation, in the face of substantial objections is like trampling on the mana of their ancestors.

Spokeswoman, Ngaire Te Hira, says the new bill isn't what people marched the length of the country for back in 2004."This is not just about the Maori party" she told Newstalk ZB, "This is about the bill that has violated against every Maori and every New Zealander."

Meanwhile, the Maori Party's also moving to clarify how it'll handle the complaint against Hone Harawira.

Its disputes and disciplinary committee began proceedings in Wellington this week, but adjourned to allow Mr Harawira the weekend to discuss issues with his electorate.

Committee Chair, Te Orohi Paul, says the disputes committee won't be present at a hui in Te Tai Tokerau, but it's hearing for Mr Harawira will continue early next week.



Acknowledgements: © 2011 NZCity, NewsTalkZB

Related articles

• Harawira would beat Sharples, says Labour MP (nzherald.co.nz)
• 'Very confident' Harawira at meeting (nzherald.co.nz)
• Harawira suspended (kiwiblog.co.nz)
• Sharples: Door still open for Hone (nzherald.co.nz)
• Editorial: Maori Party should cut Harawira loose (nzherald.co.nz)

John Key announces election date for New Zealand...

Image via WikipediaJohn Key has announced that the general elections will be held on November 26 2010, at the end of this year. He also stated he would not consider any coalition with Winston Peters and NZ First.

Well Winnie hasn't actually said that he and NZ first will stand this year, but you can bet they will announce their future some time.

Is he contemplating another another alliance and coalition with the (Fascist) ACT NZ Party and the brown middle class in the Maori Party?

Act is totally dependant on Rodney Hide winning his electorate seat, and the Maori Party actually surviving to the elections, let alone getting elected. There is now the spectre of Hone Harawira hanging there above them like some New Zealand version of the Sword of Damascus.

What does this do for Phil Goff and Labour? Despite the earliest call for an election date ever, Goff will have the best possible preparation by an opposition ever. Has he the nous to pull this off?  The wider electorate is quietly hoping he can - surely Kiwis have had enough of the separatist policies of the last couple years.

Key's announcement to partially privatise four state energy companies has to benefit Labour, any way you look at it. Kiwis don't want their assets/family silver privatised.

Reducing taxes for the rich and increasing GST by 2.5% to 15% hurts the lower paid and those on fixed incomes.

We don't know of or can think of any surprises he could have at present. The SAS will have one more rotation in Afghanistan, although these special forces super-stars will have their numbers reduced by half.

Key wants cuts to the defence budget and all other public service departments. Really?  But the other half of the present rotation in Afghanistan is being saved for the Rugby World Cup tournament - what dangers is he expecting for world leaders who attend the RWC?

I presume Johny Key will announce massive increase in the number of jobs created by his bicycle - ways; this was his pet project when first elected? Yeah right!

Related articles

• Turia unaware of any Harawira leadership hopes (nzherald.co.nz)
• A good day for a cunning Prime Minister (lifeandpolitics.wordpress.com)
• Audrey Young : Election year starts with calculated risks (nzherald.co.nz)
• New Zealand Leader Sets Election (online.wsj.com)
• Key, Goff set for big sell at Ratana celebration (nzherald.co.nz)
• 'Liz Hurley is hot': New Zealand PM John Key slammed over 'sexist' remarks (dailymail.co.uk)
• United front presented at Ratana (nzherald.co.nz)
• No silly games over election date (homepaddock.wordpress.com)

Foreshore and Seabed attitudes hardening. Really?...

Image via Wikipedia

Foreshore and Seabed attitudes hardening.  Really?


"Hone Harawira, Maori Party MP, says proposed customary rights which are determined by Crown are hardly what Maori want.



Maori attitudes towards the Government's foreshore and seabed proposals may be hardening if feedback given to Maori Party MP Hone Harawira is anything to go by.



The major elements of proposals being discussed include vesting the zone as a public domain and allowing Maori to go through the courts to establish customary title.



Last month Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples spoke positively about how customary title could work for and potentially be accepted by, iwi.



"If they get customary title basically, they've got the run of the roost over all decision of occupations and control over the beach."



However, MP Hone Harawira, says Maori he has spoken to makes it clear that Maori want property title resolved in the final legislation.



"As long as those customary rights can be determined by the Crown and extinguished by the Crown, then they are hardly the customary rights that Maori want anywhere in the country."



Consultation on the foreshore and seabed proposals is due to finish at the end of this month."



KR's Opinion:





The question that should be asked is: Which Maori attitudes are hardening?  Nobody should own land below the high water mark. The majority of Maori live away from their home maraes and wouldn't be regularly involved in their affairs. It is the Maori Party, which has a minority of the total Maori vote, that is pushing the Foreshore and Seabed Act change. Maori do not have the legal right to ownership of the F&S. Maori are not indigenous to New Zealand; they are the first immigrants to this country. Maori are entitled to continued customary usage and perhaps a role as guardian and caretaker of the lands therein. Non-Maori are also legally entitled to access to the beaches and coasts that they have enjoyed since 1840 as well.

It is the State not the so-called Crown,  that should own and mange the Foreshore and Seabed. The public domain is a legally wishy washy sort of title for the land below the high water mark in my opinion.







Acknowledgements: © 2010 NZCity, NewsTalkZB

"Boy rider" Hone Hariwera being investigated...

"Boy Rider" Hone Harawwira being investigated...


Complaints laid with police after Hone Harawira filmed riding motorbike on forecourt of Parliament not wearing a helmet.

Maori Party MP Hone Harawira is being investigated by police after riding a motorcycle on Parliament's forecourt without wearing a helmet.

The incident happened a few months ago when the Maori Party MP was filmed meeting anti-violence campaigners. Two viewers have laid official complaints and it will be up to police to determine if the area in front of Parliament's steps is a road and therefore a place where the MP should have been wearing a helmet.

Mr Harawira is spending the rest of the Parliamentary year in his Te Tai Tokerau electorate after the Maori Party decided not to expel him over the racially abusive email he sent to a critic of his side trip to Paris while on Parliamentary businesses in Brussels.

He has since paid back part of the cost of the sightseeing trip at the request of Speaker Lockwood Smith.

Hone Harawira's behaviour unacceptable to the Maori party...

Tariana Turia says the Maori Party has been flooded with abusive angry emails in response to Hone Harawira's tirade

A reluctant Tariana Turia has finally answered media questions over the Hone Harawira email saga.

After refusing to front on the issue, the Maori Party co-leader had no choice when door-stopped by reporters this afternoon.

When asked how damaging Mr Harawira's expletive-laden email has been, Mrs Turia admitted it has caused considerable damage to the Maori Party. She says it has been been flooded with abusive and angry emails in return.

"Of course it's distressing to find that our relationships with the public are particularly fragile. And that's what we've noticed from the responses that have come in."

Mrs Turia says the past week has been very tough.

"I think that what was in the email was particularly distressing. There's no doubt that number one - nobody likes to be spoken to in that manner. No one likes abusive emails, least of all myself. So I have found that incredibly distressing."

Mrs Turia says Mr Harawira's behaviour is unacceptable and the Maori Party leadership is taking the matter very seriously. She says a decision on possible disciplinary action will be made at tomorrow's hui in Kaitaia.

As far as the public is concerned, the Maori Party is dog tucker at the next elections!



Acknwledgements: NZCity, NewsTalkZB

Hone Harawira needs to clean up his own doorstep first

There's an old saying that charity begins at home. Hone needs to clean up around his own doorstep before telling the neighbours about theirs!

Labour MP Shane Jones says Hone Harawira playing dangerous stunt by criticising Australia when there's abuse in Maori community.

Maori Party MP Hone Harawira is being told it is inappropriate to criticise the Australian Government for abusing Aborigines when there is an abuse crisis within Maoridom.

The Tai Tokerau MP left an official justice and electoral committee visit to Victoria and headed to the Northern Territory. He was last seen in Alice Springs taking a stand against the Howard Government's Aboriginal policies.

Labour MP Shane Jones says Mr Harawira is playing a dangerous stunt. He says Parliament has firm rules about how taxpayer funds should be used when MPs are overseas. Speaker Margaret Wilson has said she is aware of Mr Harawira's actions and is addressing the matter.

The select committee party was meeting with groups as part of a study of election finance law and victims' rights.

Mr Harawira caused controversy last month by calling Australian Prime Minister John Howard a "racist bastard" for sending police and troops into aboriginal communities as part of an intervention plan to stop child abuse.