South Taranaki is now focused on having its ancestral mountain returned to its protection, following an apology from the Crown for the illegal detainment of its Ngaruahine men after the sacking of Parihaka in the 19th century.
Powhiri at Hokitika marae Photo: RNZ / Eru Rerekura
The men were sent to the South Island after the invasion of the peaceful settlement in 1881.
The apology was delivered outside the Taranaki rohe on Friday, at Arahura Marae on the West Coast of Te Waipounamu.
More than 200 people were there to hear Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson acknowledge the grievances cause by the illegal imprisonment of the tribe's men.
Lead Treaty negotiator Daisy Nobel presented Mr Finlayson with a portrait of its ancentral mountain, Te Rere o Kapuni, to let him know the tribe is now set on having the maunga returned to the care of the tribe.
