Some Tuhoe descendants want to move on now the police apologised for wrongdoing that occurred during Te Urewera raids, but say only time will tell if that apology was truly genuine.
Police Commissioner Mike Bush and other officers made the official apology at a gathering at a marae at the Bay of Plenty settlement.
Commissioner Mike Bush greeting Tuhoe kuia. Photo: RNZ / Graeme Acton
Commissioner Mike Bush said the mana and credibility of the Tuhoe people had been damaged. Police did not apologise for carrying out the raids, but acknowledged the hurt and loss they caused to innoncent people caught up in the 2007 operation.
In October 2007, officers set up two unlawful road blocks in in Ruatoki and in Taneatua, detained innocent people and searched private property while hunting for people they believed were involved in military-style training camps in Te Urewera Ranges.
Wharenui Tuna and Tamati Kruger. Photo: RNZ / Graeme Acton
On Wednesday, Mr Mike Bush said he felt people's anger during his apology alongside about 90 other officers at Te Rewarewa Marae. It follows an apology to specific families in July this year.
Mr Bush told reporters he had he said he was sorry for the way the raids were carried out, including the impact they had on tamariki.
Some of those who attended believe the iwi is ready to accept the apology, and hope the community can move on.
Tuhoe spokesperson Tamati Kruger said it was a good start to rebuilding the iwi and police relationship, and kaumatua Tame Iti, who was convicted on firearms charges as a result of the raids, said the apology had been accepted.
Another at the hui, Tuhi Taoho, thought people were ready to accept the apology, and said it was time to look forward. "Hopefully after a bit of mending with local people we should be able to move on."
Others were less sure, including Wharenui Tuna, who said Tuhoe still carried the mamae (hurt) of what happened and would wait and see whether the police meant what they said.
And a kohanga reo worker says the apology hasn't addressed the issue of how children were treated at the road blocks and when houses were searched.
Mere Nuku was one of those forced to get out of her car while it was searched by armed police and is still angry about a bus full of children being stopped.
Ms Nuku said she didn't want to hear Commissioner Bush's apology, because the police hadn't addressed what the kohanga reo later marched in Whakatane in protest against. She wanted the Government to legislate so that it would never happen again to children.
Some speakers at Te Rewarewa Marae felt that the Police Commissioner at the time of the raids, Howard Broad, should have made the apology.
Police Commissioner Mike Bush (4th left) and kaumatua on Te Rewarewa Marae. Photo: RNZ / Mani Dunlop
Officers greet people at Te Rewarewa Marae. Photo: RNZ / Graeme Acton
