New Zealand MP swears during apology for swearing

A Maori politician in New Zealand has apologised for using swear words in an abusive email he sent to a member of the public. But during his apology, the outspoken MP landed himself in more hot water by swearing again.

Maori Party MP, Hone Harawira, sent an email to a voter who had criticised him for skipping part of a taxpayer-funded trip to Brussels in favour of sightseeing in Paris.

Mr Harawira swore a number of times and wrote that white people have been "raping the lands and ripping Maori off for centuries".



On an Auckland radio station this morning, he apologised for his poor choice of wording. Mr Harawira went on to criticise another politician, who has called for his sacking.

"The cheek of the bastard," he said. "If I should be suspended for swearing then him and his mates should be lined up and shot."

Mr Harawira is well known in New Zealand for speaking his mind and using a lot of swear words in the process.

More here, with video and audio.