John Key apologises to Te Arawa on Crown's behalf

Photo / Stephen Parker

Prime Minister John Key today formally apologised on behalf of the Crown to Te Arawa iwi and hapu for breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi.

The Crown had breached its obligations under the treaty in past dealings with the iwi, Mr Key said at Owhata Marae in Rotorua today.

The apology is part of a treaty settlement.

The breach included a failure to protect tribal structures and to actively protect the interests of the iwi and hapu when purchasing land.

It also included the failure of the Crown to ensure they had enough land for future needs, Mr Key said.

"Affiliate Te Arawa and the Crown can now look forward to building the future, having settled the past."

Mr Key congratulated the iwi and hapu leaders for achieving this settlement and for their role in the Central North Island Forest Collective, one of the largest settlements ever.

Te Pumautanga o Te Arawa is a collective of 11 Te Arawa iwi and hapu.

It represents around 24,000 iwi and hapu members with an interest in over 500,000 hectares in and around Rotorua.

- NZPA