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Kaupapa MatuaMokomoko pardonrecognition tingedwith joy and sadnessThe wrongful conviction and execution of Te Whakatöhea rangatiraMokomoko in 1866, for the murder of Reverend Carl Volkner, reacheda milestone in the journey to justice by the great chief’s whänau.At Waiaua Marae on 28 September 2011, the Minister of MäoriAffairs signed the Agreement to Introduce Legislation to GiveStatutory Recognition to the Mokomoko Pardon with Te whänau aMokomoko Leadership Group.During the signing, the Minister acknowledged that the Crown hadmade mistakes in how the pardon was handled when originallygranted in 1992. The pardon deems that Mokomoko never committedthe offence, for which he was ultimately convicted and executed.More than 100 members of the Mokomoko whänau were present atthe signing ceremony.Karen Mokomoko, descendant of Mokomoko and secretary of theleadership group, said the day was a mixture of joy and sadness.“We’re elated the Crown recognised the need to formally restoreour tupuna’s mana, character and reputation and pleased theyacknowledged this should have taken place in 1992. It’s saddeningthat getting to this point has taken so long and many of ourkaumätua are no longer with us, unable to witness this occasion.However, this journey has provided opportunities to connect andre-connect with whänau - new faces and old which essentially, is theheart of our story”.Minister Sharples and Te whänau a Mokomoko Leadership Group Chair Tuiringa'Manny' Mokomoko sign the Agreement to Introduce Legislation to Give StatutoryRecognition to the Mokomoko Pardon.Two weeks after the signing, on 12 October 2011, the MokomokoPardon (Restoration of Character, Mana and Reputation) Bill wasintroduced into the House.The Bill is an important part of the healing process for Te whänaua Mokomoko, as the pardon he received will now be recognised instatute.The Crown, through the Bill, has expressed its regret for the sufferingof the whänau, and has expressly sought to restore his character,mana and reputation.Te Puni Kökiri’s Policy wähanga and Te Moana ä Toi regional officeworked closely with the leadership group to negotiate the terms ofthe agreement, and assist them through an endorsement processwith the wider whänau.Te whänau a Mokomoko and Mäori Affairs Minister Hon Dr Pita Sharples celebratethe signing of the agreement at Waiaua Marae.T E P U N I K ö K I R I | K ö K I R I | H u i - t a n g u r u — P o u t ü - t e - r a n g i 2 0 1 223