The Crown has apologised for historical Te Tiriti of Waitangi breaches to Maniapoto.
As part of a ceremony on Sunday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern paid tribute to Maniapoto and said it marked "the beginning of a renewed relationship".
Ardern along with Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Andrew Little delivered the apology on behalf of the Crown for repeatedly breaking "promises it made leading to [the] devastating loss of life and land and social and economic deprivation". About 3000 people were in attendance.
"The Crown is truly sorry for its many breaches of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and profoundly regrets its horrific and needless acts of war against Maniapoto," said Ardern. "The Crown commits to working with you in good faith to revitalise and rebuild Ngāti Maniapoto.
"Today's apology represents the beginning of the renewed partnership between Maniapoto and the Crown, based on mutual trust, cooperation and respect. A partnership that doesn’t neglect the past but that acknowledges it."
Ardern and Little's apology on behalf of the Crown was named Te Rangiwaituhi, or Maniapoto Deed of Settlement Ceremony.
"When Maniapoto rangatira signed the Treaty in 1840, they expected to build a partnership with the Crown - an expectation reinforced in the 1880s through a series of agreements between the iwi and the Crown called the Ōhākī Tapu," Little said.
"Te Rangiwaituhi marks a day of restoration, partnership and heralds a new beginning in realising the promises made to Maniapoto in 1840.
"I hope that through the apology we can lay the groundwork for a new partnership to provide for the future well-being and prosperity of Maniapoto."
