New Zealand PM Apologises for Decades of Abuse in Care Homes

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New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has issued a formal apology to survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care homes, addressing a scandal that has left a deep scar on the nation’s history. Speaking in parliament, Luxon acknowledged the immense suffering endured by an estimated 200,000 children and vulnerable adults who were subjected to abuse between 1950 and 2019.  

 

"I make this apology to all survivors on behalf of my own and previous governments," Luxon declared solemnly. "It was horrific. It was heartbreaking. It was wrong. And it should never have happened. For many of you, it changed the course of your life, and for that, the government must take responsibility."  

 

The apology follows a six-year inquiry described by Luxon as the largest and most complex public investigation ever undertaken in New Zealand. It involved interviews with over 2,300 survivors and documented an extensive array of abuses, including rape, forced sterilisation, and child labour. The report also revealed that faith-based care institutions often had higher rates of sexual abuse than state-run facilities. In many cases, abusers were shielded by religious and civil leaders who moved them to new locations, denying accountability and prolonging the victims' quest for justice. Tragically, many survivors did not live to see their stories validated.  

 

The findings have been a harrowing vindication for survivors who fought for decades to expose the abuse and overcome systemic denial. Tupua Urlich, a Māori survivor who shared his testimony during the inquiry, expressed that the apology alone is insufficient. “The effects of that trauma came through later on in life,” Urlich told the BBC. “It’s not just the physical abuse; it was the disconnection from my family, from my culture.”  

 

Urlich questioned whether the apology would translate into meaningful action. "Justice? No, not yet... These words are nothing unless they're followed by action, and the right kind of action that is informed by survivors. The government have proven that alone they're not trusted, nor capable, of providing the sort of change and service that we need."  

 

The abuse disproportionately affected Māori and Pacific communities, as well as individuals with mental or physical disabilities, compounding existing inequities. Survivors and advocates are now calling for comprehensive reforms to the care system, coupled with a robust restitution framework.  

 

While the government has pledged systemic reform, details of a compensation scheme are not expected until early next year. Luxon's apology, though historic, is seen by many as merely the beginning of a long-overdue reckoning with the failures of New Zealand’s care systems. Survivors and their supporters continue to demand justice, ensuring that the apology is not merely symbolic but a foundation for real and lasting change.  

 

Based on a report by BBC 2024-11-18