John Tamihere Media Statement
Member of Parliament for Tämaki Mäkaurau
15 September 2005
Tamihere shocked at Sharples’ methods
Tamaki Makaurau MP John Tamihere is calling on Pita Sharples to apologise for mistreating one of Mr Tamihere’s campaign
workers.
“The 16 year old campaign worker was repairing my damaged placards and hoarding on Wednesday night. In an act I do not
condone, he was also attaching ‘Vote Tamihere’ stickers to Maori Party hoardings.
“However, the treatment meted out to the youth, when discovered by members of Dr Sharples’ campaign team, were
completely out of proportion. He alleges he was threatened, assaulted and kidnapped before being forced to make a
statement on video.
“We are talking about a 16 year old boy. He alleges he was held for seven hours through the middle of the night by Dr
Sharples and members of his team. The boy felt intimidated and terrified.
“Whatever the boy did – for which I apologise – he did not deserve to be treated in this way. If Dr Sharples thought the
boy had done something wrong, he should have pursued it through official channels. Instead, the alleged actions read
like something out a mafia movie. For an aspiring Member of Parliament, that is appalling. Dr Sharples should apologise
forthwith and unreservedly,” Mr Tamihere concluded.
ENDS