Maori Party MP Hone Harawira arriving for his disciplinary hearing at the Brentwood Hotel in Wellington. Photo / Mark Mitchell
The Maori Party hui to discuss a complaint against Hone Harawira has finished with Maori Party vice-president Te Orohi Paul describing the day's discussions as "very helpful".
A relaxed looking Mr Harawira emerged from the hui late this evening. But the disciplinary committee will wait until at least next week
before making any decision.
The committee will talk with Mr Harawira's Te Tai Tokerau electorate organisation before making their decision.
Earlier today, the suspended MP went into the disciplinary meeting at Brentwood Hotel in the Wellington suburban of Kilbirnie feeling "very confident".
Party co-leaders Pita Sharples and Tariana Turia were also in the meeting. They decided to suspend him from caucus the day before yesterday, for what they described as a five-year legacy of ill discipline.
About 10 of Mr Harawira's supporters were outside with a poster reading "less John, more Hone".
Mr Harawira's wife Hilda was also at the hui to support him.
One of his supporters shouted at waiting media, saying they had "hounded" Mr Harawira.
Mr Harawira greeted the supporters with a hongi before he entered.
Asked if he was concerned about the co-leaders attending, despite not being on the disciplinary committee, he said "I don't care who's here."
"This is the beginning of what could be a long journey, so I'm just going to get on with it."
Fractures have emerged in the Maori Party in recent weeks since a Sunday Star-Times column by Mr Harawira criticising the party's policy and direction.
Party whip Te Ururoa Flavell laid an official complaint over the column but neither he, nor party president Pem Bird was invited to a hui intended to resolve the dispute.
Mr Harawira's co-leaders are understood to have entered the hotel where the hui was taking place at about 12.30pm to meet with those on the committee.
It was chaired by Te Orohi Paul and included Donna Gardiner, Matiu Dickson, Gordon Paku and Ken Mair, the other vice-president.
Two kaumatua were also appointed last week - Dr Pat Hohepa from the Te Tai Tokerau electorate and Te Aotuhirangi Hale. They will have no say on the final decision, but will advise on the process.
The appointments followed criticism from Mr Harawira that the process was a Pakeha-style forum, rather than true to Maori custom.
- with NZ Herald staff, NZPA
