Maori Party to review its non-aggression pact with Harawira

Maori Party president Pem Bird said the party had received complaints by some members claiming Hone Harawira had broken his non-aggression pact with the party. Photo / Rotorua Daily Post

The Maori Party will review the non-aggression pact it made with its former member and Te Tai Tokerau MP Hone Harawira, after continued criticism by him of the party.

Party president Pem Bird said the party had received complaints by some members claiming Mr Harawira had broken the agreement, which states: "It is agreed that we will focus on the issues rather than the personalities, and will not speak disparagingly of each other."

Yesterday on National Radio Mr Harawira said that one of the frequent criticisms he hears about Maori Party MPs is that their constituents"never see their MPs any more".

He said they were disappointed in the party as a whole and its direction.

Mr Harawira believes that if he is not criticising his former colleagues personally but the party generally, that he is within the agreement.

The agreement was reached on February 22 and was part of deal whereby Mr Harawira quit the party rather than face possible expulsion over criticism of the party's leadership and its support for the foreshore and seabed reform bill - which has since been passed as the Coastal and Marine Area (Takutai Moana) Act.

It also stipulates that he will stand as an independent or as a member of another party but that he would not contest any of the six other Maori seats and the Maori Party will not stand in his.

Mr Harawira's supporters will decide by April 30 whether to set up a party to contest the November 26 election or whether he should run as an independent.

Mr Bird told the Herald last night the national council meeting on April 16 would look at whether the agreement was working and"give it an airing".

He had had some complaints from unhappy members who perceived that Mr Harawira had broken the agreement.

He said the party still had members in the north that wanted contact with the Maori Party and he believed the party was stronger for its adversity.

"The party is pretty resilient."