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

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