Hone (not in) the House

Hone Harawira chose a different format for his swearing-in today, as many MPs have done in the past, and was thrown out of the House for his trouble.
This seems draconian and punitive, not to mention unfair and it will be very interesting to see how Speaker Lockwood Smith's actions are viewed. Efforts by Russel Norman and Trevor Mallard to repair the situation were in vain, as were waiata of protest from the public gallery.
There is a great deal for someone like Hone to gain from being victimised, especially where the use of te reo Maori is concerned, as it was here. Adding to the discontent already evident from this event, is the thought that the people of Te Tai Tokerau are being refused their representation in Parliament. This will motivate the young people who haven't to date, voted in a general election and who Hone very much wants to be motivated.