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. 

Speaker

 Links

Lead Coordination Minister Erica Stanford - Introduction

Hon Erica Stanford video(external link)

Apologies from public sector leaders

Andrew Bridgman, Acting Chief Executive and Secretary for Children, Oranga Tamariki Oranga Tamariki Apology to survivors of abuse in care(external link)
Dr Diana Sarfati, Director-General of Health Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care | Ministry of Health NZ(external link)
Andy Jackson, Acting Chief Executive and Secretary for Education, Ministry of Education Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry - Ministry of Education(external link)
Debbie Power, Chief Executive, Ministry of Social Development Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry – Apology from the Ministry of Social Development - Ministry of Social Development(external link)
Una Jagose KC, Solicitor-General Apology to survivors of abuse in care » Crown Law(external link)
Tania Kura, Police Commissioner 2024 New Zealand Police apologies to survivors | New Zealand Police(external link)
Sir Brian Roche KNZM, Public Service Commissioner Public Service Commissioner’s apology to survivors of abuse in state care - Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission(external link)

Survivor voices

Sir Robert Martin KNZM video, introduced by by Gary Williams Gary Williams introducton of Sir Robert Martin video(external link)
Fa’afete Taito

Fa'afete Taito video(external link)

Alternate formats
Braille

Fa'afete Taito contribution [ZIP, 3 KB]

Keith Wiffin

Keith Wiffin video(external link)

Alternate formats
Braille

Keith Wiffin contribution [ZIP, 3 KB]

Tu Chapman

Tu Chapman video(external link)

Alternate formats
Braille

Tu Chapman contribution [ZIP, 3 KB]

Apology from the Prime Minister of New Zealand

The Rt Hon Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister
Print

Prime Minister apologises for abuse in care | Beehive.govt.nz(external link)

Alternate formats
Easy Read

Prime Minister the Rt Hon Christopher Luxon public apology to survivors of abuse in care [DOCX, 11 MB]

Large Print

Public Apology from the Prime Minister Rt Hon Christopher Luxon  [DOCX, 115 KB]

Braille

Public Apology from the Prime Minister Rt Hon Christopher Luxon [ZIP, 6 KB]

Video (with NZSL)

Video from Parliament on Demand(external link)

Audio

Public Apology from the Prime Minister Rt Hon Christopher Luxon [MP3, 14 MB]

Acknowledgment from the Leader of the Opposition

Statement by the Rt Hon Chris Hipkins MP, Leader of the Opposition
Print

Leader of the Opposition Rt Hon Chris Hipkins Public Apology [DOCX, 34 KB]

Alternate formats
Easy Read

Statement by the Leader of the Opposition Rt Hon Chris Hipkins [DOCX, 11 MB]

Large Print

Statement by the Leader of the Opposition Rt Hon Chris Hipkins [DOCX, 138 KB]

Braille

Statement by the Leader of the Opposition Rt Hon Chris Hipkins [ZIP, 7 KB]

Video with NZSL

Video from Parliament on Demand(external link)

Video of the Leader of the Opposition starts at about 18.30mins.

Audio

Statement by the Leader of the Opposition Rt Hon Chris Hipkins [MP3, 14 MB]

Other Government agencies

Minstry for Pacific Peoples

Ministry for Pacific Peoples — Message from the Secretary for Pacific Peoples, Chief Executive, Ministry for Pacific Peoples to survivors of abuse in care(external link)

Chief Archivist

Chief Archivist apology to survivors of abuse in care(external link)

Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled Peoples

Message from the Chief Executive of Whaikaha to disabled survivors of abuse in care | Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People(external link)

Te Puni Kōkiri

Te Puni Kōkiri statement - Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State Care(external link)

Wellbeing support

To access wellbeing support, a helpline, Safe to Talk is available 24/7:

More information for support can be found here: Support available

Compositions

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.

He Kakano i Ruia mai i Rangiatea

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.

 

Last modified: