Pita Sharples Is an Honourable Man

Waterford Crystal Meets Monty Python

Our mothers used to tell us that people who live in glass houses should not throw stones. Apparently, Pita Sharples, leader of the Maori political party, must have been absent when this sage advice was being delivered.

Pita has been hard on the trail of disgraced, now resigned, TV talk-show host Paul Henry. An apology was not enough. Such outbursts as Henry's required more. Apparently some figurative blood had to be shed and utu to be taken before mana could be restored to--well, the Governor General perhaps, or the nation, or the Indian sub-culture in New Zealand, or the whole country of India--who knows.

Now that Henry has resigned Pita expressed his satisfaction. It's good to see at least his mana is back on the shelf, glistening like a prized piece of Waterford crystal. According to the NZ Herald,

Maori Party co-leader Dr Pita Sharples said the outcome was honourable. "Paul clearly recognises his behaviour has been unacceptable and this is an honourable outcome that will enable him to consider a new approach to public commentary."

Ah. A deft, unctuous comment.

Hold on. Is not this the same Pita Sharples whose mana was satisfied with a mere apology from one of his Maori Party MP's, Hone Harawira whose coarse racially charged venting brought him into such disrepute? Yes, a chastened Hone was welcomed back into the Maori Party and Parliament, after a mere apology. But if that worked for Hone, why not for Henry? Where was Pita then? "No, Hone, an apology is not enough. More is required. Utu and mana and all that." Where was Hone's resignation from the Maori Party and Parliament in order to ensure an "honourable outcome"?

Unfortunately, Pita has reinforced the impression that there is a hypocritical double-standard in New Zealand. One suspects that reverse racism may be alive and well in the Maori Party--at least in the heart of its constituency. You, of all people, Pita should not have thrown that particular stone.

Ironically, Henry's future is assured. He is loved by the masses for his rudeness and irreverence toward sacred cows and politically-correct vacuity. He's a John Dean rebel, sans the brooding moodiness, with a Monty Pythonesque outrageous irreverence. He is likely to become a cultural icon in his own right now. Anyone wanting to lay odds on his doing a breakfast show at TV3 before you can say "Governor General", once his rumoured six-month gardening leave is over?

We believe Pita will be proved correct. Henry will indeed end up considering "a new approach to public commentary". If he is smart--and we believe he is--he will return to broadcasting as a turbo charged Henry, Mark II.

If Pita had paused to reflect a moment he would have buttoned his mouth--presuming he truly was offended by Henry's remarks, rather than just engaging in a bit of political grandstanding. Wasn't that why he was willing when push came to shove to accept Hone's "mere" apology and allow him back into the waka? Far better that, where he could be semi-controlled, rather than cutting Hone loose, and have him rage up and down the country conjuring up racist grievances. 


Maybe someone should sit Pita down and explain to him how the law of unintended consequences works.  Henry redivivus will be far more uncomfortably provocative, and popular, than the Henry who has just fallen on his sword.