Now a free man, Teina Pora wants an apology from the State. Pora was imprisoned for over 21 years for the rape and murder of Susan Burdett.
Last night, in an exclusive interview on TV3, he explained that he just, "...didn't understand back then."
In 1994, new DNA evidence linked the attack on Susan Burdett to serial rapist Malcolm Rewa. In 1998, Rewa was found guilty of her rape but in 2000, a retrial found Pora guilty again.
Earlier this year, his conviction was quashed by the Privy Council and a retrial was discounted.
Pora said he always stood up for himself in prison and thanked those who believed he was innocent and fought for him while he was in prison.