5 Jun 2011

No lapdog status for Harawira

6:54 am on 5 June 2011

Hone Harawira says that if he is elected to Parliament as an MP for his newly-created Mana Party, he will not be returning as someone else's lapdog.

He told about 3000 people at the Destiny Church in Auckland on Saturday night that he would create a Maori Parliament if elected in Te Tai Tokerau.

Mr Harawira said it is time for Maori to start laying down markers for their own future.

Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples told the congregation his party came into Parliament to be in Government because that is where laws are made and money is distributed.

MP Tau Henare and Labour MP Shane Jones also spoke at the forum.