Maori kids' passion gives MP hope

Hone Harawira yesterday with wife Hilda Halkyard-Harawira (left) and mother Titewhai (right). Picture / Mark Mitchell

New Maori Party MP Hone Harawira says Maori children have a joy and passion for their culture which didn't exist when he was young, giving him hope for the country's future.

The long-time Treaty activist made the remark yesterday when outlining his aspirations and challenges in his maiden speech to Parliament which he peppered with several swipes and his trademark tongue-in-cheek humour.

In front of a gallery of family and supporters, he spoke of his passion for the Treaty of Waitangi, Maori rights, education and media and of his "long-distinguished record in the courtrooms of this country".

Mr Harawira recalled the foreshore legislation which gave birth to the Maori Party and which would now always be there to remind the Prime Minister - who "frolicked with a sheep while the Maori nation was at her door" - of the folly of her ways.

The issue had seen Helen Clark strip Labour's Maori MPs of their mana and he would never forgive the Labour Party for that.

He also attacked National for "bashing Maori to get votes".

"I cringe at the thought that in the 21st century anyone can be so callous in their disregard for the rights of Maori that they would seek to betray our citizenship to get into power."

Speaker Margaret Wilson got a ticking-off for apparently "blasting" him for attempting to mihi (greet) fellow MPs in the House.

Although she tolerated noisy interjections from other MPs "it seems that for all its official status, Maori has yet to find a home in this House".

"If I might add, without malice, a lesson in tikanga [custom] for the Speaker of a House that is becoming browner by the election would not go amiss either."

The betrayal of the Treaty's rightful place in Aotearoa was behind much of the ill-feeling between the races.

"I say to all who bother to listen, that if there is one truth about the Treaty of Waitangi, it is this: there will be no true peace in Aotearoa until this House has the courage to do justice to the Treaty."

He doubted sometimes whether MPs had the courage to do it.

"And yet still I have hope. I have hope because I refuse to accept defeat."

The hope was inspired by the kuia and kaumatua of Tai Tokerau.

"I have hope for my mokopuna and Maori kids at kura [schools] throughout Aotearoa - for they have a joy and passion for being Maori that simply did not exist when I was a kid."

In a statement to the Herald, Ms Wilson said: "It is the role of the Speaker to uphold the tikanga of the House as contained in the standing orders, [which] apply to all MPs."