New Zealand apologizes for abuse of 200,000 in state, faith-based car

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon issued an “unreserved” apology to the more than 200,000 survivors who endured “horrific” abuse in state and faith-based institutions, acknowledging decades of neglect and systemic failure.

His apology, delivered in parliament on Tuesday, follows a damning report from a royal commission inquiry that uncovered widespread abuse dating back to the 1950s.

“Today I stand before you as the representative of not only this government but all of the governments that have gone before us to offer a formal and unreserved apology for the abuse you suffered,” Luxon said. “It was horrific. It was heartbreaking. It was wrong. And it should never have happened.”

The royal commission report, released in July, estimates that one-third of the 655,000 people placed in care institutions since the 1950s suffered physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, often leading to lifelong trauma, addiction, and poverty. The inquiry also highlighted the disproportionate impact on Māori, who faced cultural disconnection and higher risks of homelessness and incarceration.

Tupua Urlich, a survivor who attended the apology, said, “Today is not a day of justice but of acknowledgment.” Urlich, who experienced years of abuse after being placed in care as a child, called for a survivor-led overhaul of the care system. “The door to consultation is open,” he urged. “We don’t trust you to get it right on your own – we need accountability and transparency on every move.”

Luxon underscored the government’s commitment to reform, pledging to implement two “big lessons” from the inquiry. “First, we must do the right thing by you and provide you with the support that you need. Second, we must do all we can to prevent abuse happening in the future.” He announced that work had already begun on 28 of the more than 200 recommendations, including establishing a new redress system and creating a national remembrance day on 12 November next year.

The apology was followed by legal reforms aimed at protecting those in care, including ending child strip-searches and enhancing restrictions on who can work with young people. Luxon’s words were echoed by opposition leader Chris Hipkins, who apologized for “decades of wilful ignorance” by successive governments, pledging that “all of Aotearoa New Zealand will bear witness to the truth” and commit to preventing future abuse.

The apology event included statements from the heads of seven agencies, though their addresses were sometimes drowned out by boos from the crowd. Survivors emphasized the need for urgent, transformative action. Keith Wiffin, a survivor who experienced sexual assault in care, described the day as “a huge historical day for survivors and for the country.”

Luxon’s address, along with Hipkins’ support, signals a renewed commitment to justice for the survivors. Survivor advocates, however, maintain that genuine change depends on a collaborative, transparent process led by those who have lived through the trauma.