About torture redress for Lake Alice survivors

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care found that many of the 362 children who went through the Lake Alice Unit between 1972 and 1978 did not have any form of mental illness, yet were subjected to unmodified electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or paraldehyde injections.

The United Nations Committee against Torture found New Zealand in breach of its obligations under the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. On 24 July 2024, the Government formally acknowledged that torture(external link) occurred at the Lake Alice Unit as defined in the Convention.

On 18 December 2024, the Government confirmed(external link) how it will provide redress to survivors who were tortured at the Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital Child and Adolescent Unit (the Lake Alice Unit).

Eligibility requirements

There are two eligibility requirements:

1. confirmed admission to the Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit, between 1972 and 1977
2. a declaration a survivor received either unmodified ECT and/or a paraldehyde injection.

The redress is only available for living survivors. However, if the eligible survivor died after registering their interest to make a redress claim, the estate of the survivor can progress the claim.

Redress

Redress includes:

• a payment
• a new written apology acknowledging torture. From the Prime Minister and the Minister for Mental Health
• facilitating access to support and rehabilitative services.

Payment options

There are two options for a payment. Lake Alice survivors can choose:

1. a fixed payment of $150,000; or
2. an individualised payment based on your circumstances.

If you have received a previous Lake Alice settlement you can still receive the torture redress payment in addition to your settlement.

If you have received an end-of-life payment, $20,000 would be deducted from your redress payment.

Payments will not affect survivors’ tax status or their entitlements to MSD-administered assistance.

Payment processes and timeframes

The process for a fixed payment

1. Eligible Lake Alice survivors have until 30 September 2025 to register for a fixed payment.
2. Payments of $150,000 will start from 3 March 2025.

The process for an individualised payment

1. Eligible Lake Alice survivors have until 30 April 2025 to register for an individualised payment.
2. The individualised payment amount will be decided by an independent arbiter, who will be appointed in early 2025.
3. The arbiter can make their decision on existing material such as previous police complaints or court filings, witness statements provided to the Royal Commission, records from Lake Alice, information provided to the UN, media interviews, or any other relevant and appropriate information.
4. Those who choose the individual payment process can either engage directly with the independent arbiter, or work with a legal advisor to prepare their claim.
5. Timeframes for payment will be assessed as part of the claim process.

Register your interest to make a claim

Please register your interest with the Crown Response Office to make a claim.

You will need to provide us with your name, date of birth and best way to contact you. This will complete the registration process and we will be in touch early 2025 with the next steps. The Crown Response Office will be closed on Monday 23 December to Friday 3 January 2025. 

Email

lakealice@abuseinquiryresponse.govt.nz

Phone

Freephone 0800 237 003

This is a phone message service. To complete the registration process, please leave your:

• • name
  • date of birth
  • phone number and;
  • the best days/times to contact you.

Timeline

Free access to independent legal advice

If you are unsure which pathway to choose, lawyers can provide advice and/or support you through the individualised pathway based on your circumstances.

The Crown Response Office will provide registered survivors with a list of experienced lawyers for you to choose from in mid-January 2025.

You can choose a lawyer from this list or choose your own lawyer.

If you use your own lawyer, the Crown Response Office will cover their costs up to the amount it is paying the independent lawyers to provide free legal advice.

Financial advice

Financial advice is also available, and you can also ask the Crown Response Office to make the redress payment in instalments, if you do not wish to receive your financial redress in one payment.

Existing support services

Te Whatu Ora/Health New Zealand

• Support services(external link)

ACC

• Sensitive Claims Service(external link)

Disabled People support

• Disabled People/ Ko ngā Tāngata Hauā - Ministry of Social Development(external link)

Telephone helplines or services that offer support, information and help

• Support available | Crown response to the Abuse in Care Inquiry(external link)