Jennifer Montgomery
Today marks a long-awaited milestone for survivors of the state care system, with the formal apology by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon acknowledging the catastrophic abuse endured by at least 250,000 people at the hands of state and faith-based institutions between 1950 and 1999.
Luxon acknowledged the “horrific” and “heartbreaking” abuse experienced by survivors and their whānau, and emphasised their stories have been heard and believed.
The apology comes in response to the final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State Care – “Whanaketia – Through pain and trauma, from darkness to light” – which was tabled in Parliament in July.
