A Ngapuhi elder says Maori Party MP Hone Harawira should stop playing the race card and get the chip off his shoulder."I want to tell him 'we sent you to Parliament to speak on our behalf and not to behave like an idiot'," said David Rankin, a r
A Ngapuhi elder says Maori Party MP Hone Harawira should stop playing the race card and get the chip off his shoulder.
"I want to tell him 'we sent you to Parliament to speak on our behalf and not to behave like an idiot'," said David Rankin, a relative of Mr Harawira.
"Remember Hone, your grandfather was a Pakeha."
Mr Rankin, speaking last night on TV3's Campbell Live, said Mr Harawira's original name was Hone Hatfield.
Mr Harawira has caused a controversy by saying in a weekend newspaper interview he would not feel comfortable if one of his children had a Pakeha partner.
Prime Minister John Key jumped on those comments yesterday, describing them as unfortunate and ridiculous.
But Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples said the remarks weren't racist and probably mirrored the feelings of many people.
National MP Tau Henare said he wouldn't mind if one of his children dated a Pakeha.
"I don't care who my daughters comes home with as long as they've got money," he joked.
High profile blogger Ben Gracewood weighed in with "I wouldn't date Hone Hawariwa, because I'm prejudiced against idiots".
Mr Henare said his mother and grandmother were "as white as driven snow".
"I mean it's the 21st century for goodness sake, the guy needs to pull his head in."
Mr Henare said Mr Harawira seemed to have a problem with Pakeha people in general.
