Harawira's fate still undecided

Hone Harawira's future remains unresolved after a meeting of the Maori Party's national council, and the leaders will wait until at least Friday before making a decision.

Neither President Whatarangi Winiata nor co-leaders Tariana Turia and Pita Sharples spoke after the hui on Saturday, which was expected to discuss whether the party should move to oust Mr Harawira if he refused to stand down.

Mr Harawira has taken on Peter Williams, QC, to represent him, but has fallen quiet himself during his two weeks of talks with elders after the President's request that he leave the party.

The silence followed an expletive-filled email defending a trip he took to Paris. The email prompted more than 700 complaints to the Race Relations Commissioner.

It is understood Mr Harawira was endorsed by most of the seven electorate committees at the hui and that the co-leaders and Dr Winiata were criticised by Mr Harawira's supporters for their handling of the matter.

The final decision is unlikely until the end of his two-week period of talks with Ngapuhi elders on Sunday. However, the party leadership may be trying to resolve the matter on Friday - the formal end of the two weeks.