Wellington
On Tuesday, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon issued a formal apology to all individuals who suffered abuse in the care of state and faith-based institutions. This apology follows a July report that revealed some of the most severe crimes committed in state care.
“I am apologizing on behalf of the government to everyone who suffered abuse, harm, and neglect while in care,” Luxon stated during a speech in Parliament. The apology was made in response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care.
Around 200,000 people were abused in care between 1950 and 2019, highlighting the systemic failures in New Zealand’s out-of-home care system. The Royal Commission heard from approximately 2,400 survivors, many of whom have received financial compensation. Despite this, survivors attending the apology said that the words from government officials felt empty to them.
Luxon acknowledged that many survivors were not believed when they came forward, and he expressed regret that the state’s oversight of both state and faith-based care was inadequate. He also apologized for the failure to bring many abusers to justice, which allowed further abuse to occur.
The Royal Commission has made 138 recommendations to improve the care system, address past wrongs, and compensate survivors. The government is working on a new redress system, investing NZD 32 million to improve support for survivors. A National Remembrance Day will be held next year to honor the victims.
