Historic pardon for Tuhoe prophet confirmed

Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell. Photo / Stephen Parker

The Crown will officially pardon a Tuhoe prophet and leader was arrested in 1916 during a raid in which his son was killed.

Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell announced today that the Crown will sign the historic agreement at the site where Rua Kenana was arrested on April 2 1916.

On that day 70 armed police went to Maungapohatu to arrest Kenana and in a gun battle killed his son Toko Rua and Te Maipi Te Whiu.

Charges against Kenana were later dismissed or resulted in his acquittal but he was sentenced to 18 months prison on an earlier charge of "moral resistance".

Flavell said the Waitangi Tribunal in 2012 determined excessive force was used in the police raid and it was unlawful.

"It has been over a century since this happened and it is time to right that wrong.

"I am proud to announce the Crown intends to bring in legislation to pardon Rua Kenana and this agreement with his whanau and followers of the Iharaira faith is another step on that journey.

"It was a heart breaking moment in the history of our nation. His descendants and followers of the faith have suffered immeasurably since the police actions of that fateful day."

Government representatives will sign the agreement at Maungapohatu Marae on September 9, and will also apologise to the descendants of Rua Kenana and Nga Toenga o nga Tamariki a Iharaira.

Legislation will be introduced to enshrine the pardon in law.