Prime Minister John Key says the Government has not ruled out making an apology to the iwi Ngai Tuhoe over the Urewera raids in October 2007.
A landmark report released on Wednesday has heavily criticised police for illegally searching and detaining people and for setting up unlawful roadblocks during the raids.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority found that, as a whole, the operation was reasonable and necessary, but also faults police for several shortcomings.
Mr Key says it is important and right that police apologise.
"What the report shows today is that some of the activities undertaken by the police, notwithstanding the seriousness of the operations and the potential risks, were unlawful. The police have apologised for that.
"The Government is taking advice on the issue beyond that and we'll see how things go, but ultimately, it was an operational matter undertaken by the police."
John Key says some of the police's actions were unlawful. Photo: RNZ
