The New Zealand Government is refusing to join the New Zealand Rugby Union in apologising for the exclusion of Maori from previous All Blacks tours to South Africa. Michael Dickison and and Edward Gay report for the New Zealand Herald.
"The 1960 tour to South Africa was sanctioned by the New Zealand Government and the then Prime Minister Walter Nash argued that to include Maori in the side "would be an act of the greatest folly and cruelty to the Maori race".
"Prime Minister John Key was asked by Green Party foreign affairs spokesman Keith Locke whether he would be apologising for the Government's role in sanctioning the tours.
"In a written answer last night, Mr Key said: "No. This was a matter between the rugby unions".
"Mr Locke said New Zealand should follow the Government of South African Government which has offered an apology, albeit through the media by way of a public letter."
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