Member for Te Tai Tokerau, Maori Party

Narrative history
Hone Pani Tamati Waka Nene Harawira was elected to the New Zealand Parliament as the Maori Party MP for theTai Tokerau electorate in the 2005 general election.

Born in Whangarei in 1955 and raised in West Auckland, Hone attended St Stephens School and Auckland University, but credits people like Muhammad Ali, Syd Jackson, Nelson Mandela, Maori Marsden, his mum and his wife for teaching him the importance of vision and the need for strength, commitment and determination.

Hone has wide tribal connections throughout the Tai Tokerau and is the father of 7 children, and grandfather of six grandchildren.

Hone is the son of well-known Maori activist, Titewhai Harawira, and has played a major role in treaty issues, language revitalisation, land occupations, Maori broadcasting and fighting racism both in New Zealand and abroad. He was a key player in He Taua, the 1981 Springbok Tour and the 2004 Foreshore and Seabed Hikoi, which led to his entering parliament.

Since entering parliament Hone has continued in his tradition as a rebel, breaking protocol to open parliament in Maori, calling the Australian Prime Minister John Howard "a racist bastard" for his intervention into Aboriginal Affairs, being fined for leaving a planned parliamentary overseas tour to make headlines over Aboriginal rights, and for continually challenging the government's Maori MPs for ‘not defending Maori rights'.

Hone is a member of the Maori Affairs Select Committee. He is also the Maori Party spokesperson for the Treaty of Waitangi (constitution), Education (kaupapa Maori), Youth Affairs, Broadcasting and Communication, Justice/Courts/Police, Foreign Affairs and Trade and Pacific Affairs.

Personal details
Born 1955, Whangarei, married. Iwi affiliations : Ngati Hau, Ngati Wai, Ngati Hine, Aupouri, Ngapuhi, Ngati Whatua

Education/qualifications
Saint Stephens School

Career
Manager, Aupouri Maori Trust Board
Manager, Aupouri Ngati Kahu Te Rarawa Trust
Manager, Te Reo Irirangi o Te Hiku o Te Ika
Former CEO, Tehiku Media
Director, Aupouri Fishing Company Ltd June 1990-March 1995
Director, Te Hononga Whakapaoho Maori Maori Media Network Ltd September 2001-
Director, Te Tai Tokerau PHO Ltd March 2003-April 2005
Director, Starnet 2000 Ltd June 2004-

Community activities
Chairperson, Aniwaniwa Kohanga Reo
Chairperson, Aniwaniwa Kokiri
Founder, Far North Iwi Working Group
Chairperson, Far North Rugby League
Leader, Foreshore and Seabed Hikoi
Leader, He Taua, Auckland University
Founder, Hui Whakataetae
Founding Member, Kawariki
Initiator, Kotahitanga Tribal Forum
Organiser, Kotahitanga hikoi, Turangawaewae to Waitangi
Member, Nga Tamatoa
Supported Ngati Whatua during Bastion Point occupation
Leader, Patu Squad, Springbok Tour
Chairperson, Ranganunu Sports Club
Author, Te Hauora O Te Hiku O Te Ika Trust Deed
Chairperson, Te Hiku Sports Foundation
Chairperson, Te Hononga Whakapaoho Maori Maori Media Network Ltd
Chairperson, Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Te Rangi Aniwaniwa
Member, Te Mangai Paho
Chairperson, Te Puna Wai
Chairperson, Te Putahi Paoho
Founder,Te Reo Irirangi O Te Hiku O Te Ika
Writer, Te Reo O Te Kawariki media series
Chairperson, Te Wananga O Te Rangi Aniwaniwa
Chairperson, Te Wananga Reo O Te Tai Tokerau
Director, Te Wananga Ta Moko
Chairperson, Te Wharekura O Te Rangi Aniwaniwa
Leader and Spokesperson, Waitangi Action Committee
Chairperson, Whakaruruhau

Party activities
Founding member, Maori Party May 2004-
Set up first four branches in Tai Tokerau June 2004-June 2004
Co-author, Maori Party Constitution July 2004-July 2004