14 Nov 2019

Prophet Rua's descendants want changes to official pardon

From Morning Report, 8:40 am on 14 November 2019

Descendants of the Tūhoe prophet Rua Kēnana are backing proposed changes to the pardon Bill, which would see the Crown take greater responsibility for the unlawful conviction of their ancestor.

The Rua Kēnana Pardon Bill, which recognises and apologises for the pain of Rua's wrongful conviction, passed its first reading in September unanimously.

Tears flowed on Wednesday as descendants told the Māori Affairs Select Committee of the lasting hurt caused to their community by the incident at Maungapōhatu in Te Urewera in 1916 that left two of their people dead.

And a law professor agrees the Bill doesn't go far enough.

Meriana Johnsen reports.