The Paati Māori dog and pony show drew to an end last Thursday. Three of their members were suspended.
The co leaders Rawiri and Debbie have thankfully disappeared for 21 days.
Unfortunately they have taken down the youngest MP from the Tainui Waikato electorate.
The leadership of the Māori Party should have protected this Tiktok celebrity.
The marae elders know a shooting star is called Iwiwehea, it burns brightly and soon disappears.
They have set a terrible example and abused their voters.
Trust is a precious political commodity but it ebbs in the face of egotism and selfishness. Now watch the tide turn against these political vandals.
They will learn the full meaning of the proverb, “pride comes before fall”.
This duo have done a great deal of harm to the cause of Māori representation. Their mana puffing and separatism is selling iwi short.
They have poisoned the well of good-will. They refuse to accept responsibility for their failings.
They have made themselves out to be victims. but the real casualties are the voters who backed them.
They refuse to apologise. Perversely they complain that no one asked them to apologise.
The true Rangatira understands whakaiti/humility. They do not wait to be told to do the right thing.
Whakakake means to be stiff necked and conceited. This is not the stance of a positive role model. Such an approach invites disaster.
How will Māori voters react?
The vast majority of Māori are weary of their contrived b-grade, haka-boogy strutting.
They smell poka noa and tinihanga, artificial and fake conduct.
Hustlers like this will never be entrusted with power by their fellow citizens.
The marae elders are sad however that the legacy of Tariana Turia and Dr Pita Sharples has been trashed.
Is it possible that these political delinquents will take the time to ‘noho whakatiki’, reflect, deliberate and weigh up the interests of the Māori community over their own egos?
The signs are not positive. These political culprits live
within an echo chamber of mirrors.
During the next 21 days, political life will move on. Matariki will emerge, and trees will be planted.
The tree of Maori politics has many branches. Time for voters to begin pruning and cut away the diseased limbs.
To do any less will lead to electoral die back.
