Hone Harawira skipped a meeting in Brussels so he and his wife could spend a day in Paris. Photo / Northern Advocate

Hone Harawira skipped a meeting in Brussels so he and his wife could spend a day in Paris. Photo / Northern Advocate

The Maori Party says it is "on the verge" of disciplining MP Hone Harawira over his behaviour despite him apologising for any harm he has done to the party.

The party held a teleconference this afternoon after Mr Harawira lashed out at white people over criticism that he bunked off a work trip to visit Paris.

He has apologised for any harm to his party, but not for his actions.

In an email exchange, Mr Harawira accused "white motherf...ers" of "puritanical bullshit" for expecting him to follow the rules.

Prime Minister John Key said the Maori Party MP had a history of intemperate remarks and said he hoped the Maori leadership would deal with this one.

"Hone Harawira has made a statement that is deeply offensive to a lot of New Zealanders," Mr Key said

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia had already expressed concerns that his unscheduled side trip to Paris during a taxpayer-funded work trip last month would damage the party's reputation.

After the party's teleconference, president Whatarangi Winiata said in a statement it was very concerned about his behaviour in Europe and the expletive-ridden email that followed.

Prof Winiata said the actions were well short of the values and standards expected by the party.

"We are very disappointed that Hone's behaviour, and his language, fall short of expressing our kaupapa," he said.

"The party's constitution sets out a process for handling inappropriate behaviour."

The co-vice president of the party, retired Judge Heta Hingston, said if a complaint was received it would first be referred to Mr Harawira for an explanation and if this was not satisfactory the matter would be sent to his electorate.

If the response from this did not satisfy the complainant it would go to a party disciplinary committee made up of senior members.

Mr Hingston said he was not aware if any complaint had been laid.

The disciplinary committee could do everything from giving Mr Harawira "a slap on the hand with a wet rag through to expulsion".

Mr Hingston did not believe that Mr Harawira had taken part in the teleconference, but he had sent an email to the party.