Harawira home

Maori Party MP Hone Harawira. Photo / Northern Advocate

Maverick Maori Party MP Hone Harawira is back home after his unauthorised foray into the Outback - and still defiant about the "racist policies" of the Australian Government.

Harawira's critics have lambasted the MP for ditching his taxpayer-funded justice and electoral select committee visit to Melbourne after two days and heading to Alice Springs to tour Aboriginal camps.

He reacted furiously to suggestions he had not fulfilled his duties on the trip, dismissing criticism as "petty point scoring".

"It's not about wasting time. Those politicians complaining are in the distinct minority. More fool them for having the lack of courage to go and look for themselves."

He described the conditions in Aboriginal settlements as "kind of frightening" and vowed to continue to oppose the Australian Government's policy. "The issue isn't Hone Harawira," he said.

"The issue is the oppression of the indigenous people of Australia.