United Future leader, Hon Peter Dunne, has welcomed reports the government is to issue a formal apology to the Chinese community for the poll tax on Chinese migration that was in place until 1944.

"Such an apology would be both overdue and appropriate, and would close the door on a dark period in our history."

"While sometimes current generations can overdo the practise of apologising for the actions of their forbears over which they had no control, this is not the case in this instance for two reasons."

"First, the poll tax was still in place in the living memory of a number of older Chinese New Zealanders and the absence of an apology or its equivalent left a sense of unfinished business about the matter, which today's news should now resolve."

"Second, since the Treaty of Waitangi settlement process has from time to time made use of a Crown apology as part of Treaty settlements, it is fitting that the same formula should be applied to the Chinese community in view of its long and valued contribution to New Zealand society," Mr Dunne says.

Mr Dunne has extended his best wishes to all Chinese New Zealanders for the Year of the Horse.

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