Prove yourself, PM tells Harawira

BY TRACY WATKINS AND MICHAEL FOX

Prime Minister John Key says Hone Harawira must prove to the New Zealand public that he meant his apology for inflammatory comments, which he described as “racist, hurtful” and setting back race relations in New Zealand.

His comments follow a press conference in Wellington this morning where the Maori Party MP apologised to his caucus colleagues and New Zealanders for labelling white New Zealanders "white mothef......'' in an email responding to criticism over his side trip to Paris while in Europe on Parliamentary business.

Speaking in Samoa before his return to New Zealand this evening, Mr Key made it clear that Mr Harawira’s apology was only the start of a process of mending bridges and said Mr Harawira would have to prove that his apology was not only sincere, but that "he shall change his ways".

Asked if he considered Mr Harawira’s apology to be sincere, Mr Key  did not answer directly.

"Clearly he means to stay with the Maori Party. He made that clear and in order to do so quite rightly the Maori Party leadership have indicated that sanctions have to be applied to him. He's paying that penalty."

Neither of the Maori Party co-leaders Pita Sharples or Tariana Turia was present for Mr Harawira's public apology this morning. Dr Sharples had an engagement in Auckland which was said to be unavoidable while Mrs Turia is in hospital following surgery.

SHARPLES' RESPONSE

At a press conference in Auckland Pita Sharples said the party was now happy to be moving on.

"He is a full part of the party, he's back, we are finished,'' Dr Sharples said of Mr Harawira.

He denied the party was split over the issued.

"We were all pretty together last night.''

Dr Sharples said the warning two weeks ago that he might consider running as an independent was to make him think that he represented New Zealand and not just his electorate.

"We never, ever made him go,'' he said.

"No one ever kicked him out or said he was going to be kicked out.''

This morning's apology saved Mr Harawira from expulsion from the party but he remains on extended leave until the end of the year - described by the party as a period of "time out'' for both sides, but effectively a period of notice after his behaviour exposed rifts within the party.

Asked if Mr Harawira was being confined to his electorate, Dr Sharples said "absolutely not."

"He is an MP and he will do everything he is entitled to do as an MP."

Maori Party whip Te Ururoa Flavell said at the press conference at Parliament this morning that the Maori Party acknowledged that people made mistakes but had "found the strength to exercise compassion".

"The party in recognising the hurt that statements have caused hopes that this apology moves some way to righting a wrong. We acknowledge the wrong."

'SENSELESS' COMMENTS

Mr Harawira accepted that the comments were senseless and had caused his colleagues "pain and suffering".

"I also recognise the responsibility that I carry as a leader within Maoridom and I apologise most sincerely to all young Maori, and especially to our mokopuna, for the bad example that I have set by my comments."

He also apologised to the rest of New Zealand, "both Maori and Pakeha and particularly women" who had been offended by his comments.

"They were insensitive, they were hurtful, they were unnecessary and I apologise for the grief and anguish that they have caused."

But in questions later, Mr Harawira refused to accept that his comments were racist or that further punishment was necessary.

GOFF QUESTIONS SINCERITY OF APOLOGY

Labour Party leader Phil Goff, who Harawira last month said  "should be lined up and shot",  told reporters at parliament there was only a point to apologising if it was genuine.

"I think New Zealanders as a whole will decide whether the apology is genuine or not," Goff said.

Harawira had read from a "carefully worded script" and backtracked on the sentiments when asked subsequent questions, Goff said.

"If you don't feel you've done anything wrong then you don't apologise for it because the apology isn't real," he said.

"I would have much preferred that a real apology had been made and let everybody move on. But if there is no real contrition then I guess the issue is still there and many New Zealanders did feel offended by it."

Goff said a plan to restrict Harawira to dealing only with Maori in future was "a curious response".

LATE NIGHT MEETING

Maori Party whip Te Ururoa Flavell hoped the apology would be helpful.

"We have found the strength to exercise compassion while reminding ourselves of the need for individual and collective discipline – mana motuhake – and of the high expectations of our membership."

Mr Flavell said the errant MP had requested the extra time in his electorate and the party agreed to that.

"2010 is a new year. We intend to build on lessons learnt and consolidate the gains that have been made in the short time of our relationship agreement with the National Party; while at the same time strenghtening our relationship with each other."

The apology today follows a late night meeting between Mr Harawira and his supporters with Maori Party bosses and his caucus colleagues.

Former ACT MP Donna Awatere Huata was among those who turned up in his support.

Mr Flavell described last night's meeting and recent hui over Mr Harawira’s fate as a process of reconciliation and said the Maori Party recognised the need for collective responsibility in all its actions and statements.

It had drawn up a list of protocol for MPs recognising that collective responsibility.

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