The Prime Minister and seven public sector leaders formally apologised to survivors of abuse in care on 12 November 2024.
These apologies respond to recommendation two and three of Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light, the final report of the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry.
You can watch a video of the apologies and contributions from survivors here.
Public apology to survivors of abuse in care on Vimeo(external link)
Separate video files of the public apologies from the public sector leaders and alternate formats are available on the agency websites. Links to their websites are here.
To access wellbeing support, a helpline, Safe to Talk is available 24/7:
More information for support can be found here: Support available
A poi karakia, along with ruruku (karakia) and karanga have been composed by Te Ātiawa and Taranaki Whānui. Inspired by the poetry of a survivor, they reflect the experiences and aspirations of survivors expressed during the Royal Commission Inquiry. These compositions have been gifted to all survivors.
Takiri te Kahu o Wikitoria
E te tatau o te whare toka o Wikitoria
Kua tae rau kotahi mai au, tē kite i te puku o te whare
He uri tautangata i Niu Tireni
He kura manene i taku whānau, i taku matua iwi
He ahi puaroa i ruia mai i Rangiatea
He ahi mārohirohi i te tau o taku ate
He ahi mataotao whakangaro ki te pō
He ahi kōwhekowheko hoki ki te whaiao ki te ao mārama
Ka mura taku ihi, ka mura taku wehi, ka mura taku wana
Ka tū motuhake (au/tatou) ki te taumanu
Taku ihi, taku ihi, taku wehiwehi
Taku wehi, taku wehi, taku wanawana
Taku wana, taku wana, taku ihiihi
Ka tangi te kairangi ki te kite ngā pari tai kura tāngata, nau mai aku kura pounamu
Takiri atu te kahu o Wikitoria ki raro rā
Koia nei hei kahu kura mōu, me uhia koe ki te kahukiwi
Nau mai, nau ake takahia te pae ki Ahumairangi
Piki ake, nau ake ki tupua horo rangi, ngā puke iri mai i Rangiatea
As we gather in Parliament or at locations throughout the country either by ourselves or as part of a collective, we wonder what lays ahead following today’s apology.
We have been disconnected from our being, feel like a stranger in our country, alienated from family and heritage. Born into a world innocent and free, oblivious to systemic behaviour which has denied and extinguished our flame of hope.
Today’s apology is an acknowledgement of wrongdoing, knowing that ahead of those watching the apology will require many years of inter-generational healing and learning.
As mōrehu, we refuse to be categorised. We stand in solidarity in all of our beauty, with our beautiful super-powers, our magnetism. We are here to return what rightfully belongs and to the Crown “we cast the cloak of systemic behaviour on the ground…”
We are protected by the prized kiwi feathered cloak, an acknowledgement that we were born of significance, and that it was the Crown who made us insignificant. In wearing our new cloak of protection, we leave behind your cloak at Parliament today, free from all obstructions.
The sculpture, poetry and writings are taonga created by survivors to acknowledge the importance of this day – to be heard and to be seen – from darkness into light.
Before our lives were plunged into darkness, we were loved by our ancestors. We are the sacred seeds descended from the heavens .
For many who felt so unloved, they were always loved by those in the wairua realm. Nothing went unseen.
It’s the courage of all those who have brought their stories forward, that has forced the sacred seeds to open, never to ever be closed again.
Not everyone has made it to today, but we see their lights still shining within.
You might only ever get to see the rough outside but if we learn to trust you, you will see the beautiful colors that sparkle within .
Going unchallenged in the deep dark waters .
Take back your shame and return the mauri of all survivors, knowing that we are finally believed, and the Broken Years are no longer hidden.
