Maori Party MP Hone Harawira is describing tough new anti-tagging laws passed by Parliament on Thursday as a tool for harassment.

The bill passed its third reading by 107 votes to 10, with the Greens, the Maori Party and ACT voting against it.

Under the new law, anyone convicted of graffiti vandalism can be fined up to $2000 and be ordered by the court to clean up graffiti.

The legislation bans the sale of spray cans to those under 18 years of age, and requires retailers to restrict access to spray paint, so the public cannot get access to it without the help of shop staff.

It will also be an offence to be in possession of a so-called graffiti implement, which includes only spray cans, and other items such as felt tip pens.

Hone Harawira told Nine to Noon tagging is a symptom of poverty, and needs to be addressed more creatively.

"We've got to do something about tagging, but lets get a lot more innovative about how we do it, than simply pass a law that will do two things ... enable police to harass innocent kids and admittedly won't stop tagging."

— http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/latest/200806201207/13bd8d7b

I'm kinda surprised to say this, but I've been hearing an awful lot of sense coming out of the Maori party recently. Like this and being against banning BZP. I think maybe because their constituency is already so marginalized and outside the mainstream they have more of a handle on what is actually going on.

My friend hates the idea of going underground, but I think she's going to have to :/

Felt tip pens now illegal to carry. Sweet fucking jesus.