Dame Anne Salmond: first encounters are pivotal

From Morning Report, 8:10 am on 3 October 2019

The British High Commissioner Laura Clarke says she was happy using the phrase "expression of regret" rather than "sorry" when speaking of the harm caused when James Cook arrived in New Zealand in 1769. Ms Clarke told Morning Report the success of Tuia 250 was not central to the decision to visit Gisborne yesterday to acknowledge those who died in the encounter and express her sympathy. Professor Dame Anne Salmond is one of New Zealand's most acclaimed historians and has written extensively on Captain James Cook and the first encounters with Maori. She welcomed the expression of regret. Dame Anne also says the context of Cook's visit was pivotal, it was acknowledged at the time that Maori were the rightful possessors of the land and they had the right to defend their coastline.