News Jaya

Tariana Turia breaks her silence over Harawira

Maori Party leader Tariana Turia has finally broken her silence describing Hone Harawira's expletive filled e-mail as "unfortunate" "very distressing". But she has described his behaviour "unacceptable", and it is his behaviour that has done considerable damage to the Maori Party.

Tariana Turia usually chooses her words well. Unacceptable is a stronger word than distressing. This means that Harawira's filthy language around Parliament and outside of it is not unacceptable to the Maori Party, only very distressing if the public becomes aware of it.

updateThe Maori Party has received emails over the Harawira kerfuffle. Turia has described them, not as "unfortunate" or "distressing" but as "offensive" and "racist". Strange how Turia thinks Harawira's comments are not offensive or racist, just distressing and unfortunate.

It's high time the Maori Party formed a view that Harawira's filthy language is as unacceptable as his behaviour, whether the party considers he is provoked or not. Would it be appropriate to call Harawira a tero heihei, or will a little tutae be more apt?