Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has acknowledged the 2400 survivors who shared their stories as part of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care.
He said there was nothing he could do to take away their pain but wanted them “to know you are heard and you are believed”.
“Thank you for your strength, your bravery and your honesty.
The report was released to the public this afternoon. It is the largest and most complex inquiry ever held in New Zealand. Its title is “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light” and was tabled in Parliament today.
The inquiry was established in 2018 by the then Labour-led Government to investigate the abuse of children, young people, and adults in state and faith-based care in New Zealand between the years of 1950 and 1999. It contains 138 recommendations — one of which is that the Prime Minister formally apologise to survivors, which Luxon has indicated he will do on November 12.
Luxon said today was a “dark and sorrowful day in New Zealand’s history”.
“As a society and as the State we should have done better. I am determined that we will do better.”
The Government would soon consider the report’s recommendations, alongside 95 others from the interim report, which was released in December 2021.
“This report was six years in the making. The response cannot be rushed. It needs to be considered with respect and care.
“To the survivors, I know we can never replace what has been lost. What I can commit to you is we will engage with the Royal Commission’s report and recommendations in good faith, with careful consideration and we will never lose sight of what you have endured to bring the truth to light.”
Minister responsible for coordinating the Crown Response to the Abuse in Care Inquiry Erica Stanford said the Government was prioritising decisions around improving redress.
“Other recommendations will require more time to consider and respond to, particularly those involving legislative and major organisational change. We will provide an update by November.”
She said the Government’s formal apology would be a “significant event” and it was working with survivor groups to deliver an event that “gives it the dignity it deserves”.
“The apology will provide an important opportunity for the Government, and the leaders of other political parties, to take responsibility on behalf of the nation for the failures of the State across many governments.”
Report’s release must be ‘start’ of putting things right – Hipkins
Before the report’s release today, Leader of the Opposition Chris Hipkins said he was “absolutely and without question” committed to working in a bipartisan way on the recommendations and redress of the inquiry’s report.
“The abuse in State care has happened over generations, it’s happened over successive governments of all different persuasions. It’s vitally important that Parliament comes together, that we rise above politics, that we focus on properly addressing the underlying causes of the abuse in State care, and that we put things right.
“The next steps of this process are going to span over multiple governments as well. This should not be about politics in any way, this must be about doing the right thing.”
He said the report’s release was “a massive day for New Zealand”.
“It is ripping the bandaid off something that has been going on for generations, that has been swept under the carpet, that has never been adequately addressed.
“This is the start of something … it must not be the end of the matter.”
He said it had been moving to see survivors at Parliament today.
“And it’s pretty moving to see that their voices have finally been heard.”