Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Desecration of Hobson grave not condoned

Updated at 6:38 am on 9 February 2012

The Maori Party says it in no way condones the desecration of the grave of William Hobson over Waitangi weekend.

The grave was spraypainted with the words 'lies' and 'honour tiriti'.

William Hobson was New Zealand's first Governor, whose first task was the negotiation of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840.

Feelings are high over Treaty clauses in new asset sales legislation.

Prime Minister John Key says it's very disappointing that Governor Hobson's memory has been dishonoured.

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia condemned the incident. However, she said it shows the strength of feeling about the Government keeping to its Treaty obligations in its partial asset sales programme.

Listen to more from Tariana Turia on Morning Report

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