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The leader of New Zealand has issued a formal apology to survivors of abuse in state and church care in an unprecedented move that signals a deep recognition of the historical atrocities committed against vulnerable individuals. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon stood before Parliament to express a “formal and unreserved” apology for the pervasive abuse, torture, and neglect endured by hundreds of thousands of children and vulnerable individuals in care over the past seven decades.
The apology, which comes on the heels of the most extensive inquiry ever conducted in New Zealand, addresses the deep scars left by the abuse experienced by an estimated 200,000 individuals in state, foster, and faith-based care. The majority of these victims were Māori, the Indigenous population of New Zealand, who were disproportionately affected by the systemic failures that allowed such abuse to occur.
Luxon’s words of remorse were accompanied by a solemn acknowledgment of the government’s role in perpetuating these injustices. He highlighted the responsibility of previous administrations in failing to protect vulnerable individuals who should have been treated with respect, dignity, and compassion.
The findings of the inquiry, which spanned six years and uncovered a disturbing pattern of abuse within state-run institutions, foster care, and church organizations, were branded a “national disgrace.” The report shed light on the widespread nature of physical, sexual, verbal, and psychological abuse suffered by nearly one-third of the 650,000 individuals placed in care between 1950 and 2019.
Opposition leader Chris Hipkins echoed Luxon’s sentiments of contrition, emphasizing the need for concrete actions to address the profound harm caused by decades of neglect and maltreatment. He acknowledged the challenges in quantifying the full extent of the abuse, attributing the gaps in records to intentional obfuscation and oversight.
Luxon’s government has pledged to address 28 of the 138 recommendations outlined in the inquiry’s report, but questions remain about the specifics of financial redress for survivors. While the scale of the compensation is anticipated to be substantial, Luxon refrained from providing a precise figure, citing the need for a unified redress system to be implemented by 2025.
The survivor community, who have long awaited recognition and justice for their suffering, expressed mixed reactions to the apology and the government’s response. Some survivors pointed to the lack of transparency around compensation plans as a cause for concern, urging swift action to ensure that survivors receive the redress they deserve.
In the aftermath of Luxon’s apology, survivors gathered outside Parliament to share their stories and advocate for meaningful change. They underscored the lasting impact of the abuse on their lives and the urgent need for accountability from those responsible for their trauma.
As New Zealand grapples with the legacy of abuse in state and church care, the apology issued by Prime Minister Luxon marks a critical step towards acknowledging the past and forging a path towards healing and justice. The survivors of these atrocities deserve more than just words – they deserve tangible actions that demonstrate a commitment to breaking the cycle of abuse and ensuring that such horrors are never repeated.
