MP stands by nephews accused of Key assault

Maori Party MP Hone Harawira was today unrepentant about comments he made in support of nephews accused of assaulting Prime Minister John Key.

His party leaders Tariana Turia and Pita Sharples are backing him. Last week NZPA reported comments Mr Harawira made in a newspaper column.

Mr Harawira said he went to Kaitaia Courthouse to support nephews John Junior Popata, 33, and Wikatana Popata, 19.

The pair pleaded not guilty to the alleged assault on Waitangi Day.

The men were not angels "but then who is?", Mr Harawira said.

Their passions had spilled over and with his record he could not criticise.

He ended the column saying that while he did not know what the court would decide, he hoped commonsense would prevail.

Labour MP Kelvin Davis said Mr Harawira's comments were appalling and gave the impression he did not think the assault was a serious matter.

Saying the pair charged with assault weren't angels and the apparent plea for leniency raised questions about his conduct as an MP, Mr Davis said.

At the time the co-leaders said they understood Mr Harawira's concern for family and encouraged it but wanted to make it clear they had no tolerance for violence.

Mr Harawira today defended his stance saying he was supporting family, and that was the Maori way.

Asked why it was necessary to then go public with his comments he said: "It's kind of different, we're Maori we support one another all of the time...we are Maori until the day we die and that doesn't change. Whanau is whanau."

Mr Davis suggested Mr Harawira apologise to Mr Key - Mr Harawira said Mr Key had not asked for that and he did not intend to.

Dr Sharples said his MPs came into Parliament to represent Maori.

"We'll still carry on as normal Maori out in the community, and always we go to court with our relations."

He said possibly Mr Harawira's comments did not meet standards expected of MPs and the MP had accepted the view the co-leaders expressed in their statement last week.

"It's not a question of pinning it down to etiquette and on that side of the line or this side of the line. It's a question of the intention and perhaps the manner he went about it and you can disagree or agree with it.

"His heart's in the right place, he was well intentioned but we favour the due process should take its place."

Mr Harawira has not been reprimanded.

"He got no rap over no knuckles. It was never discussed formerly by us. I am surprised there is so much attention to that issue."

Last week a spokeswoman for Mr Key said the Prime Minister's view was the alleged assault was a matter for the courts to resolve and he would not be meeting with parties involved.

She said Mr Key regularly met with the Maori Party and would continue to do so.

Dr Sharples said the incident had not affected their relationship.

"I think we have a stronger relationship than that."

- NZPA