Editorial: Harawira's fatal flaw

OPINION: It is ironic that two MPs who are chalk and cheese in their views should be embarrassed at the same time for their use of taxpayers' time and money overseas.

Hone Harawira skived off to Paris when he should have been working in Brussels; perkbuster Rodney Hide used taxpayers' money to take his girlfriend Louise Crome around the world. Mr Hide issued an abject apology and paid back the $12,000 he had claimed. Mr Harawira blew his cool and was still firing shots yesterday. He apologised to women for using the "mofo" word, but also suggested Opposition leader Phil Goff should be shot.

Mr Hide's reputation has taken a dent, but his seat in the House is safe. The same cannot be said for Mr Harawira, whose behaviour suggests anger management issues and a resentment of Pakeha which clouds his judgment. When he leaves Parliament, and that would be very soon if his party had enough fortitude, he should reflect on the fact that he had an opportunity to make a difference, and for all his huffing and puffing, he blew it.

Mr Harawira's "white man's bullshit" and "white mother f****ers" rant in an email to Buddy Mikaere was his response to being asked about who covered the cost for his wife to accompany him to Paris when he should have been working as an MP with a delegation in Brussels. The hostile response confused parliamentary responsibility with his own work to help Maori–- which it should be acknowledged is considerable and has involved personal sacrifice. But this is an MP whose website tells of a man who has learnt the need for "strength, commitment, wisdom and vision". On the contrary, he presents as an angry man who cannot tolerate being crossed.

Prime Minister John Key calls Mr Harawira a shock-jock MP. He is right. Mr Harawira has an insight into social issues, specifically those involving Maori, which the majority of other MPs in the House don't have. That awareness and understanding has made him a valuable addition to Parliament, where he has been a staunch advocate for Maori.

But the Te Tai Tokerau MP has let himself down and embarrassed the Maori Party. He has crossed a racial line no-one should be prepared to cross, and that makes him a liability for Maori Party leaders Pita Sharples and Tariana Turia. The MP himself has indicated he had plans to wind up his political career at the end of the present term. He should go now, even if his party don't make him.

Hone Harawira has had an opportunity to work from the inside to help Maori, rather than be a sniper sitting on the outside. Those used to protesting often find it difficult to work on the other side because they become frustrated at the level or speed of their successes. But Mr Harawira is intelligent enough to know MPs are not handed magic wands. Change takes time.

His Maori Party colleague Angeline Greensill says he should be cut some slack and "people speak like that on the street every day". People do a lot of things on the street every day. That doesn't make them acceptable.

- © Fairfax NZ News