The Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has apologised "wholeheartedly" to the families of the 257 people lost in the Erebus disaster for the first time, in a ceremony marking the 40th anniversary of the flight.
Both the government, which was in full ownership of Air New Zealand at the time, and the airline itself have unequivocally apologised.
Almost 500 families members of Erebus victims were at Government House in Auckland for the ceremony.
Families have welcomed the apology as a weight off their shoulders and say it's a huge relief.
Checkpoint cameraman Nick Monro and reporter Jordan Bond filed this report.
