Harawira's Paris jaunt prompts concern

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia is concerned her MP Hone Harawira's unscheduled side trip to Paris during a taxpayer funded work trip will damage the party's reputation.

Speaker Lockwood Smith said Mr Harawira may have to pay back some of the trip's overall costs after he skipped a meeting in Brussels so he and his wife Hilda could spend a day in Paris. He paid for the extra travel himself.

Mrs Turia had understood the reason Mr Harawira did not attend the meeting, part of the New Zealand delegation's scheduled business, was because he was sick.

"I'm very concerned, my understanding was he was ill over in Brussels but it would appear... that he went off to Paris for a trip, that it was quite a deliberate thing," she told Radio New Zealand.

"The worry for me is that Hone was the leader of that delegation and I guess that what we are going to be questioned about in future, in terms of any trips overseas, is that `can we give a guarantee that this won't happen again, it happened in Australia?' And with hand over heart I don't think we can give that guarantee."

In 2007 Mr Harawira was told to pay back some flights after he left mid-way through a four-day select committee trip to Melbourne, so he could visit Aboriginal groups in Alice Springs.

Labour deputy leader Annette King yesterday said Mr Harawira's actions showed why the public wondered about MPs' perks.

"I think that really does make people wonder about parliamentary travel and taxpayers' money."

Mrs Turia was concerned about that and how Mr Harawira's actions would reflect on the party.

"All of us have to be really conscious as to the perception that's created as to how we use public funds, the public doesn't actually fund us to go on holidays and to have a look around and that's the reality."

Mr Harawira has been unrepentant about his actions, saying he missed nothing by skipping the meeting as he had already met those attending the meeting and discussed issues with them.

He did not think he should have to pay back any money.

Dr Smith did not agree, saying that his approval for inter-parliamentary travel carried an expectation that delegations would adhere to the official programme.

"I would expect a recovery of some of the costs if a delegate on an official inter-parliamentary visit takes an unscheduled day's leave for private purposes."

Mr Harawira accepted the trip to Paris was "outside the boundaries, but I don't feel uncomfortable with it".

He was glad he had undertaken the side trip, saying it would have been "dumb" not to visit such a wonderful city.

The other two MPs in the delegation, National MP Katrina Shanks and Labour MP Rajen Prasad, attended the meeting, which discussed relations between the EU and New Zealand, family and youth policies and multiculturalism.

Ms King said Mr Harawira's second "walkabout" should give him food for thought.

"I would just hope that when people are chosen to go on a trip to represent New Zealand at taxpayer expense that they actually do what is required of them, and bring back the ideas and the contacts with them."

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Forbsie   #37   10:51 am Nov 06 2009

What a surprise! The race card has been played again. Whi is Pita Sharples being so quiet? I thought he was the co-leader?

Russ   #36   10:47 am Nov 06 2009

He should be sacked onhis return and the Moari party should be dismantled. It's crazy to think in this current day we have a politics based on race.

Mike   #35   10:46 am Nov 06 2009

Discusting and disgracefull behaviour. For someone who shows no respect for OUR political system why does he want to be a part of it if not for his own gain

jumbo   #34   10:40 am Nov 06 2009

This is another case of politicians leeching public money for their own enjoyment. If Hone had done the job that he was supposed to do, and went to Paris after it, there would have been no comment. But to stuff taxpayers with the cost is disgusting. The same goes for Rodney Hide. There should be more stricter accounting of MP's travel abroad, most of the so called fact finding can be done over the internet nowadays. MP's can get their jollies in other ways

nat   #33   10:25 am Nov 06 2009

it's amazing how unrepentant he is with his brazen actions and saying that it would have been a dump not to visit paris. he sounds like an underpaid employee trying to take advantage of a business-paid out of the country assignment. is this really the type of MP "his people" want?

MJP   #32   10:21 am Nov 06 2009

Reference my first comment (#18) his latest outburst in this article follows exactly what I predicted (see http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/3037942/Harawira-email-attacks-white-man-bulls-t )

Say no more...

Sasquatch   #31   10:17 am Nov 06 2009

hmmm got racism much?

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/3037942/Harawira-email-attacks-white-man-bulls-t

and by both writer's of the emails it would seem.

Biff   #30   10:17 am Nov 06 2009

Unbelievable. An example of the "handout" mentality that plagues this country. A disgrace to his party, and completely underserving of his taxpayer-funded salary (and perks!). I hope his party leaders eject him from the Maori party; he continues to harm the party's cause and let other members down.

Jane   #29   10:08 am Nov 06 2009

I just read one of the other stories in regards to this and I'm not surprised you can't comment on it because I think everyone would be gunning for his resignation "His people" included. Everyone should check it out and I'm sure you'll be just as stunned as I was.

Margaurite   #28   10:03 am Nov 06 2009

This MP should be sacked for his recent racial comments, no excuses, he works for New Zealanders, any colour any race. What he has said is inexcusable and disgusting.

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