Moriori descendants seek Treaty claim for 19th Century atrocities
Maui Solomon is a grandson of Tommy Solomon, thought the be the last full-blooded Moriori.
The islands were invaded by Taranaki Maori in 1835, who slaughtered and enslaved the Moriori. The atrocities continued for 20 years.
"We lost 90 per cent of our population - that's a holocaust really," Mr Solomon said.
Now, Moriori descendants are close to negotiating a Treaty settlement with the Crown, based on breaches including a failure to stop slavery.
Historian Dr Michael Bassett said there is also a more obvious reason the Crown should pay. "I'm sure the real reason why people want the Crown to do something is that they've got the deepest pockets," he said.
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/moriori-descendants-seek-treaty-claim-19th-century-atrocities