Hone Harawira (alias John Hadfield ... his true name)

Enjoy Walking Eagle On a recent trip to the U.S.A., Maori Party M.P. Hone Harawira (alias John Hadfield ..... his true name ... his grandfather was a pakeha) was invited to address a  major gathering of the American Indian Nations in Kitimat, B.C. due to his recent examples of how to inflame the Maori Indigenous situation in New Zealand. He spoke for almost an hour.... echoing his racist mother's doomed to fail radical ideas for increasing any First Nation's present standard of living. At the conclusion of his speech, the tribes presented Hone with a plaque inscribed with his new Indian name - "Walking Eagle". The proud Hone then departed with his entourage, waving to the crowd as he left. A news reporter later asked the American Indian chiefs how they came to select the new name given to Hone. They explained that "Walking Eagle" is the name given to a bird so full of shit, it can no longer fly.

The latest from Hone

Osama bin Laden and Hone Harawira

THU, 05 MAY 2011 6:59A.M.

By Dan Satherley

Controversial ex-Maori Party MP Hone Harawira has called Osama bin Laden a freedom fighter, saying the former terrorist mastermind should be "honoured", not "damned", as according to Maori custom.

According to the English subtitles of Maori Television's Native Affairs, Mr Harawira said bin Laden "pursued independence for his people, his family and his tribe", reports the New Zealand Herald.

"I acknowledge him and bid him farewell," said Mr Harawira. "Return to your ancestors who wait for you beyond the veil of death.

"Despite what the media has said, his family, his tribe, his people are in mourning.

"They mourn for the man who fought for the rights, the land and the freedom of his people. We should not damn them in death, but acknowledge the positive aspects of life."

Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples said utu, or revenge, was a Maori custom, but was uncomfortable at celebrations over bin Laden's death.

"We don't agree with the extent of the celebrations or with anyone celebrating the assassination of anyone and then the person's body being discarded into the sea," he told Te Karere.

Labour's Shane Jones slammed Mr Harawira's comments, saying it was not Maori custom to uncritically honour the dead.

"In the old days, a great enemy - if he wasn't eaten - his bones were used to make musical instruments," he said.

"So this romantic notion that in the old time, Maori spent hours of their time saluting the enemy was not the case.

"Enemies were turned to dust and people rejoiced, because of the suffering they had caused."

Mr Harawira's understanding of Maori culture and history was also rejected by new ACT Party leader Don Brash on last night's Close Up. Dr Brash said the Treaty of Waitangi granted all New Zealand citizens the same rights, an assertion Mr Harawira rejected, saying the Maori version of the treaty guaranteed Maori rights other New Zealanders didn't necessarily have.