October 02, 2019
Tūranga Cook apology taken to heart
The British High Commissioner was at Te Poho o Rawiri Marae in Gisborne today to convey an apology from the British Government to the people of Ngāti Oneone for the deaths or injuries of some of their ancestors during the first encounters with Lieutenant James Cook and the Endeavour.
Laura Clark will convey a similar apology to Rongowhakaata this afternoon, and tomorrow morning she will be with Te Aitanga a Māhaki at Tarere Marae.
Lawyer Willie Te Aho says the request for a private apology was made by the tribes of Tūranganui a Kiwa and Ngāti Oneone because Cook was acting under the instructions of the British Government – and the actions were in breach of those instructions.
"And so these aren't flash in the pan, they have been well planned. They've come with all sincerity and they will be welcomed in that context and the kōrero that flows there will be something that our people take into their hearts as we move towards the big events of Tuia 250 and other arrangements at the end of this week." Mr Te Aho says.
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