Iwi leader calls for immediate resignation of MP
Ngapuhi leader and activist David Rankin has called for the immediate resignation of Hone Harawira over his allegation
that the Australian Prime Minister is a ‘racist bastard’, and threatening that Ngapuhi could have an armed uprising.
Mr. Rankin, who is a descendent of Hone Heke, and a senior relative of Mr. Harawira, says such talk is not only
offensive, but also wrong.
‘No matter what his personal views are’, says Mr. Rankin, ‘there is no excuse for talking about anyone in this way. Not
for the first time, Hone has embarrassed all of Ngapuhi. Some of us are beginning to wonder whether he has lost his
marbles’.
‘Ngapuhi is facing its own enormous challenges, from widespread rural poverty to corruption in its Runanga. Our MP
should focus on these issues, and not worry about Aborigines in Australia. It goes against everything in our culture to
interfere with the affairs of other people’.
Mr Rankin believes that Mr. Harawira is worried about the safety of his seat, and is making outbursts such as this to
earn himself attention and notoriety. However, Mr. Rankin believes this tactic may backfire: ‘What Hone has to
understand’, he says, ‘is that days of radicalism and division are over. We are all one people and we need to live as
such. If he can’t accept that, then he ought to resign’.
ENDS