Royal Commission releases Abuse in Care Final Report

The Royal Commission’s final report, Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light, has been presented to Parliament and published on the Royal Commission’s website (click here to view the report).

Oranga Tamariki acknowledges the almost 3,000 people who have shared their experiences of abuse and neglect with the Royal Commission since it was established in 2018. The experiences they shared are a taonga that will help change the care system for all children and adults and improve their lives.

The report is of historical significance and is the result of the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in Aotearoa New Zealand. It includes 16 volumes of material that cover context, what happened, why it happened, specific case studies, survivor experiences and recommendations for the future. This is also a significant milestone for survivors, many of whom have waited decades for what happened to them to be acknowledged and changes made.

The report is a call for change, to improve outcomes for all tamariki and rangatahi who come into our care. The Crown response to Whanaketia will require a joined-up, collaborative approach across several Crown agencies.

This approach is being co-ordinated by the Crown Response Unit. Officials, including from Oranga Tamariki, will be working across government to provide Ministers an initial assessment of the final report and recommendations to Cabinet in the coming months.

The Royal Commission recommended the Crown and relevant faith-based organisations publicly acknowledge and apologise for the tūkino, or abuse, inflicted and suffered. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced he will deliver a public apology on 12 November 2024.

Much of the content presented in the report contains explicit descriptions of tūkino – abuse, harm and trauma – and may raise difficult emotional responses. If you or someone in your close circle needs support, please contact your GP or healthcare provider. There is also list of telephone helplines or services that offer free support, information and help here: Support available | Crown response to the Abuse in Care Inquiry.

The Survivor Experiences Service is available for people who were abused in State, faith-based, or other forms of care, as well as for a survivors' whānau. Survivors and whānau can contact the Survivor Experiences Service to organise a time and place to share their experiences:

• call 0800 456 090
• text 8328
• email contact@survivorexperiences.govt.nz

To find out more about the Survivor Experiences Service, visit their website: Survivor Experiences Service.