PM Jacinda Ardern offered an apology to the Erebus families on behalf of the government. Photo: LAWRENCE SMITH/STUFF
It took 40 years, but at last the families of those who died in the Erebus crash have had an apology. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said, "On behalf of today's government, the time has come to apologise for the actions of an airline then in full state ownership; which ultimately caused the loss of the aircraft and the loss of those you loved. This apology is whole-hearted and wide reaching. We will never know your grief, but I know the time has come to say I am sorry."
She was followed by Air New Zealand chairwoman Dame Therese Walsh: "I apologise on behalf of an airline which 40 years ago failed in its duty of care to its passengers and staff."
It as Ardern's call to make the apology and also her call that Air New Zealand needed to join in, otherwise it would still be unfinished business. In this episode Ardern sits down with Michael Wright to explain.
White Silence. No Survivors. No answer. Never-ending.
Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, Podbean, Radio Public and other podcast providers, or from the Stuff and RNZ homepages.
Photo: Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
