A quiz team that dressed like members of the murderous white American extremist group the Ku Klux Klan has apologised to event organisers for its poor judgement in perpetuating racism and reinforcing harmful stereotypes.
The team dressed in the distinctive KKK-like robes and hoods with cut outs for eyes, turned up at Saturday's event organised by the Kaimai Settlers Committee in the small Bay of Plenty town.
The organisers say they deplore the behaviour of the team and regret not asking them to remove their costumes or leave.
Since the event the committee says it recieved an apology from the team that says it is "deeply ashamed and embarassed" by its poor judgement and lack of awareness for the gravity of the situation.
The apology also refers to the consumption of alcohol and impaired judgement.
Buddy Mikaere is a former Director of the Waitangi Tribunal, a Tauranga historian and iwi leader, who was also raised in Kaimai he joins me now.
