The government is apologising today for the Dawn Raids of the 1970s, and RNZ photographers were there to capture the ceremony.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks during the government apology, being made at the Auckland Town Hall. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is delivering an apology for the raids which occurred under both Labour and National governments which resulted in the deportation and prosecution of many Pacific Islanders.
HRH Princess Mele Siu'ilikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili of Tonga. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Siasi Tonga Tau'ataina Free Church of Tonga Choir and Brass band with Viliami Telefoni. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
McAuley High School students gifting a Ie Toga or fine mat during the formal part of the Dawn Raids apology. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Part of the gifting ceremony at the the event. Photo: RNZ / Anric Sitanilei
The New Zealand government's written apology is given to Sai Lealea a Fijian community leader Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Tonga's HRH Princess Mele Siu'ilikutapu Kalaniuvala Fotofili Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is embraced by Rev Setaita Taumoepeau K Veikune, MNZM. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
A mat is draped over Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as part of the Samoan Ifoga ceremonial apology. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
A mat is put over Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as part of the Ifoga protocol. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Pasifika from all over New Zealand have come to the ceremony. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Pasifika from all over New Zealand have come to the ceremony. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in a modified practice of “ifoga” - Samoan reconciliation protocol. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Aupito Tofae Su'a William Sio, Minister for Pacific Peoples, and Courts. Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs, Education (Pacific Peoples), Justice, and Health (Pacific Peoples) Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Polynesian Panthers members (L-R) Tigilau Ness, Pauline (Vaeluaga) Smith, Dr Melani Anae. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
PM is seated next to Carmel Sepuloni, Jenny Salesa, Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki, Willie Jackson and Aupito William Sio. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
The legendary Toesulu Brown MNZM. The Dawn Raids apology has been long awaited. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Pasifika from all over New Zealand have come to the ceremony. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern supported by her Maori and Pacific caucus members. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is greeted at Town Hall. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Crowds at Auckland Town Hall. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern arrives at Town Hall Minister of Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio (R) and next to him is the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Nanaia Mahuta. Photo: RNZ / Anric Sitanilei
The karanga is starting at Auckland Town Hall. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Auckland Town Hall is filled up for the Dawn Raids Apology. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
The Cook Islands community enter Town Hall. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Tala Taiamoni and her friends and family wait for 2 pm to go inside Auckland Town Hall. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Hufanga-He-Ako-Moe-Lotu Professor 'Okusitino Mahina and his two granddaughters. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
One of the Cook Islands contingent with Auckland Mayor Phil Goff. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
The chair where Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will sit to give the apology. Photo: RNZ / Anric Sitanilei
Melino Maka (L) holds picture of his aunt Teresia Tobbing who was raided in February 1976 in Onehunga. La'auli Sir Michael Jones (R) Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
The queue to get into the Auckland Town Hall ahead of the apology. Photo: RNZ / Anric Sitanilei
Antonia Lilii and George Schwenke from First Union Pasifika Fono. Photo: RNZ / Anric Sitanilei
The Nalisoni family came from Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
The Richard family say they feel sad and happy at the same time. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Siasi Tonga Tau'ataina Free Church of Tonga Choir and Brass band with Viliami Telefoni. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Women from the Cook Islands Association from Auckland at the Dawn Raids Apology at Auckland Town Hall. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
John Kiria, Cook Island Community Leader says he's here to support the Pacific community. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Preparations for the Dawn Raids Apology are under way. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi