Wellington  - About 3,000 New Zealand veterans of the Vietnam War and their families marched to Parliament in the capital Wellington on Saturday in the welcome-home parade they never received nearly 40 years ago.

They were formally welcomed by Prime Minister Helen Clark, who earlier delivered a formal apology on behalf of previous governments for sending them into the "toxic environment" where Agent Orange herbicide was freely sprayed into the jungle and for ignoring them on their return.

In an emotional ceremony on the forecourt of Parliament, the veterans were given a traditional Maori warriors' return from war. Photographs of the 37 New Zealanders who died in Vietnam were taken into the building for a vigil before a guard of honour.

Clark reiterated her apology, which was echoed by leaders of the seven other political parties in parliament on Wednesday, and said the ceremony marked the nation's reconciliation after the most controversial war it had ever been involved in.

More than 3,400 New Zealand forces served in the Vietnam War between 1965 and 1972, New Zealand's longest military engagement, and it bitterly divided the country with anti-war protestors mounting huge demonstrations.

Unlike those who came back from two world wars, they were given no heroes' welcome-home parades but were flown back in the dead of night and told not to wear their uniforms in the streets or tell people where they had been. Some were called "baby-killers" and spat on.

Former infantry commander Chris Mullane formally accepted the government's apology and welcome home on behalf of the veterans.

Reunion activities over the weekend include a "Goodnight Vietnam"" pop concert of music from the 1960s, an exhibition of war memorabilia and a service at the National War Memorial on Sunday. (dpa)