March 27, 2015
Ngaruahine apology for tupuna who never came home
South Taranaki iwi Ngaruahine have received the apology that is part of its historic treaty claims settlement in Hokitika
More than 150 members of the tribe gathered this morning at the Seaview site in Hokitika where their ancestors were imprisoned in the late 1800s.
Lead negotiator Tihi Noble says elders wanted the apology for muru raupatu to be delivered to the tupuna who never made it home.
The iwi has been on a hikoi round Te Waipounamu to the sites where Maori were held after the wars and the sacking of Parihaka.
Francois Tumahai from Ngati Waewae says his Hokitika hapu was happy to support Ngaruahine for the occasion, in the same way its tupuna supported the Taranaki prisoners and appealed for their release.
The apology was delivered by Treaty Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson.
The Crown expects to introduce Ngaruahine's settlement legislation towards the middle of this year.
Peeni Henare says Maori MPs want to speak out, even if the Government may want to stay quiet.
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