Currently, survivors of historical abuse in State care can make a claim with one of four government agencies.
Ministry of Social Development
if you were in care, custody, guardianship or came to the notice of the Child Welfare Division, the Department of Social Welfare, the New Zealand Children and Young Persons Service or Child, Youth and Family before 1 April 2017, contact:
For more information, visit: https://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/work-programmes/historic-claims/index.html(external link)
Oranga Tamariki
Oranga Tamariki is responsible for resolving claims for abuse and neglect in state care relating to events from 1 April 2017, contact:
For more information visit: Claims for abuse while in care | Oranga Tamariki — Ministry for Children(external link)
Ministry of Health
Residential hospital facilities, psychiatric institutions (e.g. Lake Alice), contact:
For more information visit: Historic abuse claims | Ministry of Health NZ(external link)
Ministry of Education
If you were abused or neglected at a residential special school run by the Department of Education before 1989, you can make a historic claim with the Ministry of Education, contact:
For more information visit: Sensitive Claims of Abuse in State Schools – Education in New Zealand(external link)
