2 Aug 2011

Harawira sworn in as MP

9:12 pm on 2 August 2011

Mana Party leader Hone Harawira has been sworn in as a Member of Parliament.

Mr Harawira was to be sworn in two weeks ago, but was evicted from Parliament's debating chamber for failing to comply with the rules.

Speaker of the House Lockwood Smith refused to swear in Mr Harawira when he began pledging allegiance to the Treaty of Waitangi and not the Queen.

On Tuesday, Mr Harawira followed the rules and read the correct oath as required by law.

The former Maori Party MP quit Parliament to force a by-election in the Northland electorate of Te Tai Tokerau, which he won.