Hitchhiking Hone

Good to read that Te Tao Tokerau MP Hone Harawira has found a new way to keep in touch with his constituents - hitchhiking his way home.

While Hone is eligible for free airtravel and taxis as an MP, he continues to stand by the side of the road asking for a lift, not to save money, but to meet people.

"I meet a lot of people who don't go to meetings, so I get to know what's happening in their world. Ordinary people with ordinary issues," he said.

"People think I'm mad. I've always hitched and now that I'm an MP, I don't see why I should stop. I want them to know I'm still the same guy. I just want to keep it real."

Hone did not think it was a good idea for National leader Don Brash to follow his hitchhiking example.

"If Don Brash was hitchhiking in Kaitaia, one of my cousins would probably run him over."

Personally I have never hitchhiked. My Mum did once when she was young, but ended up completely in the wrong place. While it doesn't seem that much of a horror story now, sometimes the stories you hear as a child can cause you to hesitate before doing things as an adult. It must be said that sometimes this can be a good thing!