Hone Harawira threw down a gauntlet when he announced he’s resigning to force a by-election in te Tai Tokerau and the Maori Party has picked it up:
On Saturday, Mr Harawira announced the formation of his new left wing party, the Mana Party, and also that he plans to force a by-election in his Te Tai Tokerau electorate.
Maori Party president Pem Bird says he and other party members were shocked by the by-election announcement.
He says a Sunday night meeting of the party’s council will determine whether it will stand a candidate in Te Tai Tokerau electorate.
It was always an uneasy truce between Harawira and his former party and this signals an end to it.
If the Maori Party does stand a candidate it could split the vote and let the Labour one through the middle. But if it doesn’t stand a candidate most of those who don’t support Harawira are more likely to vote Labour.
Homepaddock 
Why is anyone surprised?
You NEVER NEVER NEVER make an agreement with a ratbag from the swamps of Awanui.
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Labour may well win even if the Maori Party don’t put up a candidate.
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As I said on one of Ele’s other threads, a two-horse race between Hone and Kelvin Davis could be very interesting. The firebrand might find that not as many Maori endorse his rabble-rousing as he thinks.
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Wouldn’t it be great if Don Brash stood as a candidate – just for the publicity!
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Let’s make it a real circus Dave and encourage Winston Peters too.
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HP if Winston First stands then Whale Oil does too – what entertainment.
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