"While words will never bring back those lost on Mt Erebus this day 40 years ago, I would like to express regret on behalf of 
Air New Zealand for the accident which took the lives of 257 passengers and crew."

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern also used the day to give a first full apology by a New Zealand government.

"This apology is whole hearted and wide reaching," she said. "We will never know your grief, but I know the time has come to 
say I am sorry."