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:

  • email claims@ot.govt.nz
  • call 0508 326 459, or
  • let your social worker know you would like to make a claim.

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)

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