On Tuesday, New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, issued a historic national apology to the victims and families affected by abuse in state and faith-based care institutions over the past seven decades. This apology followed a thorough public inquiry that uncovered widespread abuse, affecting around 200,000 children and vulnerable adults from 1950 to 2019.
In an emotional address to Parliament, Luxon acknowledged the “unimaginable pain” endured by survivors, highlighting the notorious Lake Alice psychiatric hospital, where many victims suffered torture. He condemned the abuse as “horrific,” “heartbreaking,” and “wrong,” offering an apology on behalf of both current and past governments.
The Royal Commission of Inquiry, which took six years and interviewed over 2,300 survivors, revealed abuse across state care, foster homes, and religious institutions. The inquiry found that New Zealand’s Indigenous Māori community was disproportionately affected.
In response to the findings, Luxon committed to addressing 28 out of 138 recommendations from the inquiry. These include establishing a National Remembrance Day in November 2025 to honor the victims. While many survivors welcomed the apology, they called for more action, such as compensation and further reforms. Luxon’s government has promised to implement a redress system by 2025 and is exploring measures like creating an office to prosecute abusers, renaming streets named after perpetrators, and introducing new laws to prevent future abuses.
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