Harawira challenged to force by-election

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Renegade Maori Party MP Hone Harawira has been challenged to force a by-election if he is kicked out of the party or resigns.

Labour MP Shane Jones said Mr Harawira would lose credibility if he left the party and remained an MP without testing his support in his Te Tai Tokerau electorate.

The challenge came as Mr Harawira refused to comment on whether he would obey an order to stay away from Parliament for two weeks after he was given an ultimatum to toe the line or leave.

The Maori Party is about to hold its first caucus meeting since a showdown with Mr Harawira over his "white motherf.....s" email and skipping meetings in Brussels. Mr Harawira would not say whether he planned to turn up at Parliament.

Party co-leaders Pita Sharples and Tariana Turia have not said what Mr Harawira must do to restore their confidence in the time he has been given to consult elders and advisers, suggesting the door to his staying is effectively closed.

Mr Jones, who is also from the Far North, said Mr Harawira would have no choice but to resign his seat and force a by-election if he were ousted from the party and wanted to stay in Parliament.

- © Fairfax NZ News