PRESS RELEASE FROM THE MAORI PARTY

Te Orohi Paul, Chair of the Disciplinary and Disputes Committee and Māori Party National Council Co Vice-President, said today that the Committee had met and sent a letter to Hone Harawira and to Te Ururoa Flavel inviting both of them to attend an urgent hui with the Committee on Tuesday, 1 February.

“The Disciplinary and Disputes Committee of the National Council was established after the resolution taken by the National Council on 27 January 2011 concerning the complaint made against Mr Harawira by Mr Flavell.”

“Under clause 11.3 of the Māori Party Constitution (“the Constitution”), the Committee is required to “act swiftly and with discretion to seek resolution of the matter” and to ensure that “the dispute is resolved on the basis of the kaupapa of the Party.”

“The process that the Committee will follow is:

In the first instance, to invite Mr Harawira and Mr Flavell to appear before the Committee. On the basis of the kaupapa, the purpose of this hui is to bring both parties together to try and resolve the grievance face to face Accordingly, Mr Flavell will be given the opportunity to speak about the grievances that gave rise to his complaint. Mr Harawira will then be given the opportunity to respond. The Committee will be meeting on Tuesday 01 February 2011 to prepare for a Disputes and Disciplinary Committee meeting on Wednesday 09 February 2011.

This hui is intended to be private and confidential in nature, in order to maximise the chances of resolving the dispute “at the earliest opportunity by those involved”, as required by clause 11 of the Constitution.

Once the Committee has completed its processes in considering the matter, it will make a recommendation to the National Council. Under clause 4.1 of the Constitution, the National Council is the “governing body of the Party outside of an Annual General Meeting” and has responsibility for the “fundamental running of the Party”. For that reason, any decision as to what is to be done regarding the complaint will be taken by the National Council.”

Te Orohi Paul

Chair of the Disciplinary and Disputes Committee

Māori Party National Council Co Vice-President

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