Harawira likely to come back, but must apologise

Firebrand Maori Party MP Hone Harawira looks set to stay with the party, but he will have to apologise to New Zealand for his comments.

Maori Party Co-leader Pita Sharples said after meetings of the party and his iwi it appeared Mr Harawira would stay with the party, not go independent as the member for Tai Tokerau.

"It is looking that way the way his iwi is talking, he's talking and the meetings I have been to, yeah," Dr Sharples said.

Asked if there would be conditions on that he said:

"Of course an apology to NZ for various statements and behaviour would be the minimum."

Mr Harawira sparked controversy after dropping out of a parliamentary delegation for a day's sightseeing in Paris with his wife and then made matters worse in an email saying "white motherf-----s have been raping our lands and ripping us off for centuries''.

Dr Sharples said Mr Harawira "know's he's hard to control. So does his iwi".

The party wanted his expertise, though suspension from the caucus might be one option.

The Maori Party's national council, at a hui in Otaki on Saturday, reaffirmed its authority over the parliamentary wing and appeared to back Mr Harawira.

Up to 25 of the party's ruling body agreed that party president Whatarangi Winiata would receive a letter from the Tai Tokerau electorate outlining how "mana is to be restored to the party, the leadership and Hone Harawira".