Hone Harawira

By Maggie Tait of NZPA

Wellington, Nov 5 NZPA - An unrepentant Maori Party MP Hone Harawira says he had a wonderful time in Paris after bunking off from attending a European parliamentary delegation meeting.

In an emailed newsletter Mr Harawira said everyone appeared to be in a "tizz" over a story about how he skipped a meeting in Brussels last month to go to Paris with his wife Hilda.

In questions he asked himself in the email, Mr Harawira wouldn't rule out doing something similar in future even though he recognised the trip was probably a breach of protocol.

European Parliament MP Mara Bizzotto chaired the delegation for relations with Australia and New Zealand.

Mr Harawira said they covered all the issues to be canvassed the following day at a dinner that night.

"When my request was translated for her she burst out laughing and said how she'd love to come but she had the meeting to chair, so I told her I would make up for it by introducing her to some All Blacks when she came down here!"

Ms Bizzotto "positively glowed with happiness" at the suggestion, he said.

Mr Harawira concluded the evening with a haka which he said brought the house down.

He also talked about his plan to the other two MPs in the delegation, National MP Katrina Shanks and Labour MP Rajen Prasad, who did attend the meeting.

Mr Harawira accepted he broke out of formal arrangements and breached parliamentary protocols but said he met the requirements of the trip and did not think he had missed anything.

He paid the additional travel cost and did not think he should have to pay part of the overall fare back.

The Office of the Clerk was considering the trip and a Parliamentary Service spokesman said it was possible he could be asked to repay a portion of his travel costs.

Mr Harawira could see no reason why he shoul, "given that I notified the chairperson before going to Paris, covered all the issues before going, and have had follow up contact with European MPs who were there about future activities."

Mr Harawira said he may do something similar in future and had not received any negative feedback from his party leadership or constituents.

And did he enjoy his day in Paris? Mr Harawira asked himself. "Hell yes. A man would be dumb to go to Europe and not take the opportunity to visit such a wonderful city and see such iconic places and images. I'm glad I did it."

In 2007 Mr Harawira was told to pay back some flights after he left mid-way through a four-day select committee trip to Melbourne, so he could visit Aboriginal groups in Alice Springs.

Mr Harawira said there was no comparison.

"Different place, different time, different issues."