“Maori MPS must do their bit to end the violence”

Hone Harawira, Maori Party MP for Te Tai Tokerau

02 August 2007

Embargoed till 12pm 03 August 2007

“After the Kahui incident, I questioned myself long and hard about what us Maori MPs could do to break this spiralling cycle of violence and mindless destruction that is killing our kids and brutalising our society,” said Hone Harawira, Maori Party MP for the Tai Tokerau, “and this last incident of horrific child abuse just confirms what an uphill struggle we’ve got if we want to turn things around.”

“So here’s what I think we should do.”

“First of all, Maori MPs have to own this,” says Harawira. “Never mind pointing the bone at anyone else, and never mind the platitudes.”

“We have the power to make a difference, we have the numbers. There are 21 of us in the House. In different parties sure, but all Maori nonetheless.”

“I reckon we should lock ourselves away in a barracks down Waiouru [anywhere else and the media and the crazies will come along], put people who are good at dealing with child abuse in a barracks next door to give us advice … and don’t come out till we come up with a solution.”

“Yes it’s simplistic, and yes, there’s going to be all kinds of gonks moaning about why they weren’t invited, but really, who cares?” says Harawira. “We need a plan, we need action, and we need it now.”

“As Maori MPs, our role is to effect legislative change to improve our situation immediately, over the short term, and over the long term as well.”

“We have to stop sniping at one another’s suggestions for political gain,” says Harawira. “We have to put aside our political differences and set aside our massive egos in the interests of our kids, ourselves, and our future.”

“Why only Maori MPs? Because when others are there, the chemistry changes and people start to clam up. And if we’re going to get a result here, then we need every Maori MP to be ready, willing and open.”

“This ain’t the whole answer. Not by a long shot,” says Harawira. “Maori society has the biggest role to play. Government has a role to play. And colonisation has a lot to bloody answer for as well.”

“But pointing the bone ain’t the game today. Coming up with answers is,” says Harawira. “I have already tried getting us all together, but that was only partially successful. I’ll just have to try harder. Watch this space.”

ENDS

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