Police Commissioner Peter Marshall wants to visit the community of the Bay of Plenty settlement of Ruatoki before he leaves his role next year.
Police Commissioner Peter Marshall. Photo: RNZ
Mr Marshall spoke to MPs of the Maori Affairs Select committee on Wednesday during a closed to the public briefing about the 2007 Te Urewera police raids - Operation 8.
The commissioner told reporters at parliament before the hui that he has a good rapport with a Ngai Tuhoe leader, Tamati Kruger, who he's been working with since May last year.
He says before his role as commissioner ends in April next year, he hopes he can go to Ruatoki and talk to the people there.
Meanwhile, Mana Party leader Hone Harawira says Tuhoe descendants caught up in Operation 8 deserve better and more than Mr Marshall just talking to the iwi leader, Tamati Kruger.
He says he respects Mr Kruger and says he is doing a great job, but he says the police should instead be talking directly to individuals and families who were caught up in the operation.
Mr Harawira says they need to be given a sincere apology.
Tamati Kruger, is amazed by the Mana leader's comment - which he says highlights exactly what he and the police commissioner intend to do.
Mr Kruger says Mr Marshall will meet with the people.
He points out that he and the commissioner have been in discussions which include working out how that will be done, including setting up a convenient time for everyone to meet.
