This time, Tamihere is saying nothing

TV3 journalist Rod Vaughan presses John Tamihere for a response as the MP leaves his Papatoetoe office yesterday. Picture / Amos Chapple

John Tamihere's eyes flash warily at a tape recorder placed on the table before him for a prearranged interview.

"Now I know that is a tape recorder. And you can turn it off right now," he says.

Just two weeks after shooting his mouth off to the editor of Investigate magazine, the MP for Tamaki Makaurau, renowned for his outspokenness, has nothing to say.

The enthusiastic tone and concession of a one-hour interview agreed to two hours earlier have been withdrawn.

Casually dressed, he struggles to look busy in the modest Papatoetoe electoral office.

He looks gaunt and somewhat lighter, and the confident bolshy persona has been replaced by a sheepish uncertainty. Normally wild eyes drift regularly to the floor.

"I have given an assurance I will not say anything publicly," he says.

Mr Tamihere appears genuinely concerned at the prospect of fronting up to Labour Party colleagues at next Tuesday's caucus meeting.

There he will come face to face with senior party members - including senior minister Steve Maharey, whom he called "smarmy", and Conservation Minister Chris Carter, who he said was a "tosser" and a "queer".

"I have to keep my mouth shut - until at least I meet the caucus. We will see what happens from there."

A smile flickers at suggestions he has faced harder grillings after making equally brutal public attacks.

That includes fronting up to a Ngati Porou marae meeting after attacking the tribe's head, Api Mahuika, in 2003.

The then rising political star accused Mr Mahuika of "sounding like the King of Tonga" for refusing to relinquish tribal control to more youthful and qualified Maori.

Mr Tamihere refuses the bait and insists he has nothing to say. "I have constituents to talk with and have to plan strategy with key advisers."

He looks tempted but again declines to comment on suggestions that he needs to reassure the "Kiwi blokes" he claims to represent.

A suggestion that he has again let them watch their champion make a nationally televised humble retreat draws only a grimace.

"I have to go, mate. I can't talk. I have important meetings."

Down the corridor a radio journalist waits hopefully. In an alley next to stairs up to Mr Tamihere's office a TV3 reporter pops his head out, eager for a sound bite.

Moments later when the MP emerges, contempt replaces his indecision. He scowls at the reporter and refuses any comment.

Last week, Mr Tamihere accused Act leader Rodney Hide, TV3 reporter Duncan Garner and others of manufacturing fraud allegations against him which led to a Government inquiry and Serious Fraud Office investigation. On his website he likened Garner to Goebbels and Garner's boss, TV3 head of news Mark Jennings, to Hitler.

Mr Tamihere believes he has been unfairly maligned by the men and is doing his best to get revenge.

On Tuesday, he will learn if the Labour colleagues he has mocked are more forgiving.