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The government will formally apologise for the Dawn Raids it says 'terrorised' Pacific families in their own homes.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern described the police raids and spot checks as 'targeted' and 'dehumanising'.
Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio became visibly emotional at this afternoon's announcement.
He spoke of the ripple effects the Dawn Raids continue to have in the Pacific community - drawing on his own family's experiences.
The Minister says the Pacific community were invited to come to New Zealand to fill the labour workforce and the Dawn Raids broke their trust in the system.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the government can't change history, but it can acknowledge what happened.
She said any apology would be felt deeply by members of her own Cabinet.
The government will formally apologise at a commemoration event in the Auckland Town Hall on 26 June.