The widow of the pilot of the plane that crashed into Mt Erebus 40 years ago says an apology from the Government and Air New Zealand took her completely by surprise.
Maria Collins was at Government House on Thursday when Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern apologised for failures and wrong decisions both up to and after the disaster in which 257 people died.
Ms Collins, widow of pilot Captain Jim Collins, says that while she always thought there would eventually be an official apology, she didn't think it would come within her lifetime.
Speaks to Susie Ferguson.
