Harawira hires QC for fight to stay in party

Hone Harawira. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Hone Harawira has taken on Queen's Counsel Peter Williams to advise him during his battle to stay with the Maori Party.

Mr Williams yesterday confirmed he was acting for Mr Harawira and had written a "detailed letter" to the party outlining the Te Tai Tokerau MP's position. He would not comment further.

But the Herald understands Mr Harawira sought legal advice after concerns about whether the party was following its own constitution in its efforts to discipline him and request he leave the party.

The Harawira issue will be discussed at a national council meeting the party is holding in Otaki today, midway through the two-week period he was given to spend with his elders.

Mr Harawira is not expected to be at the meeting, which was called by party president Whatarangi Winiata. Co-leaders Tariana Turia and Pita Sharples are expected to attend.

A spokeswoman said the meeting was to allow the national council to have input into the series of talks taking place between Mr Harawira and Ngapuhi kaumatua and kuia.

She said it would give some suggestions to the elders, who are to report back next week with their proposals on Mr Harawira's future.

The national council's hui has caused concern among some party members who claimed that as late as Thursday there was no agenda and no explanation for the meeting.

Mr Harawira's mother, Titewhai Harawira, told the Herald she was concerned about the timing of the hui, which would cut across the wananga led by Ngapuhi elders.

The party leadership has been criticised for failing to deal with the matter quickly.

Dr Sharples told Radio New Zealand yesterday it was still a young party and was trying to sort out the problem.

"We started off as a team. We are brand new to politics and brand new to being part of a government. There's only five of us [MPs] to share the load and obviously we are going to disagree on a whole lot of stuff. But we've managed right up until now to get along fine on things.

"So it's not just about a trip to Paris or some verbal abuse, it is in fact how we work together as a team which is the main thing, and how we handle stuff like this."

Mr Williams represented NZ First leader Winston Peters at his privileges committee hearing about undeclared donations.