Just what will he say? Harawira oath #2

The Mana Party's Hone Harawira with supporters after he was thrown out of Parliament for refusing to give the correct oath. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Mana Party leader Hone Harawira is making progress with plans to get the Parliamentary oath changed as he prepares for a second go at being sworn in as an MP.

Mr Harawira, who reclaimed a place in Parliament after winning the Te Tai Tokerau by-election, is due to be sworn in tomorrow following an unsuccessful first attempt at a formal ceremony two weeks ago.

Speaker Lockwood Smith booted Mr Harawira from Parliament when he attempted to pledge allegiance to the Treaty of Waitangi rather than to the Queen as the legal oath required.

Dr Smith said Mr Harawira had been warned that the oath had to be taken in a certain way, and that they would try the ceremony again on August 2.

Mr Harawira told reporters he had intended to pledge allegiance to the treaty and then go on to the required oath, but Dr Smith had chosen not to allow it.

He told NZPA today he had not received any words of warnings from Dr Smith regarding tomorrow's ceremony.

"I know what's required, it was a two-stage thing and I completed stage one when I was there last time, I'll complete stage two when I go back," he said.

"I'm just going to complete the exercise, take my seat and get on with the business of causing havoc."

The incident sparked renewed debate over the oath and whether it should be changed.

Mr Harawira said he would be having discussions this week to see how the oath could be changed to include the treaty.

"I genuinely believe most MPs would like to swear allegiance to the people who put them into Parliament," he said.

"I spoke to a woman who used to work in the bills drafting office, and we're going to have a sit down later this week to see what we can do."

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia previously said the party was reviewing legislative amendments it earlier proposed to include allegiance to the treaty in the oath, and said she had written to Dr Smith seeking advice on how to move the proposal forward.

Labour leader Phil Goff has also expressed an interest in having the oath changed.

"I put forward a recommendation some years ago where the oath went beyond simply an oath of allegiance to the Head of State. It continued to include that but also continued commitment and loyalty to New Zealand and the people of New Zealand. I'd like to see that in the oath," he said.

- NZPA