The Abuse in Care - Royal Commission of Inquiry reported to the Governor-General, Rt Hon Cindy Kiro, in June 2024 and its findings were made public on 24 July 2024 when its final report - Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light(external link) was presented to Parliament.
This followed the Royal Commission's interim report, He Purapura Ora, he Māra Tipu from Redress to Puretumu Torowhānui(external link), which was released in 2021.
The Royal Commission investigated what happened to children, young people and vulnerable adults while in the care of the State or faith-based institutions, mainly between 1950 and 1999. It heard nearly 3,000 survivor accounts of abuse and neglect and its findings and recommendations are the result of five years of investigations, research, private sessions, and public hearings.
On 24 July 2024, the Royal Commission’s final report was presented to Parliament.
On 12 November 2024, the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Christopher Luxon, delivered a public apology in Parliament on behalf of the Crown to survivors of abuse in care. This was a significant event for many survivors, their whānau, advocates and for the country. The text of the Prime Minister’s apology is available at: Prime Minister apologises for abuse in care(external link)
On 9 May 2025, the Lead Coordination Minister for the Government’s Response, Hon Erica Stanford, announced the Government’s plans to strengthen the care system and improve redress for abuse survivors in Budget 2025. There is more information at: Budget 2025 invests in care system and improving redress for survivors of abuse in state care | Beehive.govt.nz(external link)
On 5 June 2025, Ms Stanford released the Crown’s response plan to the Royal Commission’s interim and final reports. There is more information at:
The Ministry of Justice is one of the government agencies contributing to the Crown response to the Royal Commission. We have progressed several legislative amendments and continue to support the Crown's response.
Read more about the Crown response to the Abuse in Care Royal Commission:
24 July 2024
Prime Minister's speech(external link)
Joint statement from the Prime Minister and the Minister Leading the Crown Response: Acknowledgement of torture at Lake Alice(external link)
12 November 2024
Prime Minister’s speech(external link)
Leader of the Opposition’s statement(external link)
9 May 2025
Cabinet papers and minutes: Sentencing (Reform) Amendment Bill: Approval of Amendment Paper - responding to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care [PDF, 531 KB]
Further Cabinet papers are available on the website of the Crown Response Office(external link).
Responding to the Abuse in Care Legislation Amendment Bill(external link) (Parliament's website)
This subject may raise difficult emotional responses from readers. If you would like to talk to a support person the Royal Commission website lists some telephone helplines or services that offer support, information and help. All services are free. Support services | Abuse in Care - Royal Commission of Inquiry(external link).
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