A reluctant Tariana Turia has finally answered media questions over the Hone Harawira email saga.

After refusing to front on the issue, the Maori Party co-leader had no choice when door-stopped by reporters this afternoon.

When asked how damaging Mr Harawira's expletive-laden email has been, Mrs Turia admitted it has caused considerable damage to the Maori Party. She says it has been been flooded with abusive and angry emails in return.

"Of course it's distressing to find that our relationships with the public are particularly fragile. And that's what we've noticed from the responses that have come in."

Mrs Turia says the past week has been very tough.

"I think that what was in the email was particularly distressing. There's no doubt that number one - nobody likes to be spoken to in that manner. No one likes abusive emails, least of all myself. So I have found that incredibly distressing."

Mrs Turia says Mr Harawira's behaviour is unacceptable and the Maori Party leadership is taking the matter very seriously. She says a decision on possible disciplinary action will be made at tomorrow's hui in Kaitaia.