New Zealand PM apologises over Maori tribe cannibal joke

NEW Zealand’s prime minister had to apologise for joking he would have been eaten if he attended a dinner with a Maori tribe who were once cannibals.

John Key’s remark further soured relations with the Tuhoe people that are already strained over their bid to win back ownership of tribal lands confiscated by a settler government 150 years ago.

The Tuhoe have accused Key of betraying an earlier agreement with the government for the return of their sacred Te Urewera lands on eastern North Island.

Key was addressing a tourism conference when he made a reference to the dispute and having a meal with leaders of a tribe – known as iwi – that are Tuhoe’s neighbours.

“The good news was that I was having dinner with Ngati Porou as opposed to their neighbouring iwi, which is Tuhoe – in which case I would have been the dinner,” he said.

Maori MP Te Ururoa Flavell said the joke was unfortunate and would add to the Tuhoe’s sense of injustice.

Later Key apologised.

“It was a lighthearted joke, but if anyone is offended, then I deeply apologise.”