Tēnā koutou

It’s with great pleasure that we can share the news that the Royal Commission has delivered its final report and recommendations to the Governor-General, Her Excellency The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro.

We want to thank you all. This is your report. It's informed by your experiences and your voices. The real milestone is yours.

The report is called Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light. It was named by the Inquiry's survivor advisory group of experts (SAGE).

The report is comprehensive. It includes 16 volumes of material that cover context, what happened, why it happened, specific case studies, survivor experiences and recommendations for the future. It makes significant findings that abuse and neglect were pervasive across many settings and that abusers acted with impunity. The report makes far-reaching recommendations for righting the wrongs of the past, making the care system safe and empowering communities and whānau.

The Governor-General, Her Excellency The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro, now gives the final report to the Minister of Internal Affairs. The Minister must then table the report in Parliament to make it public. The tabling is scheduled for later in July.

We recognise it has been a long and difficult journey, and the impacts of abuse and neglect continue to harm you. We pay respect, too, to the many people who have died waiting for action,” said Judge Coral Shaw (Chair), Anaru Erueti and Paul Gibson.

"This is a tough time for many. Many diverse communities have formed around the Royal Commission and while this part of the journey closes, we urge you to remain strong and brave. Please continue to support each other, as your individual and collective journeys echo across the motu.”

You will also be able to see a media release here on our website shortly.

News | Abuse in Care - Royal Commission of Inquiry

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of the Royal Commission’s work. We could not have done this work without your bravery, expertise, and support.

Judicial review update

Last week the Jehovah's Witnesses filed a second judicial review application on draft report content they had received for natural justice. They also urgently applied to obtain an early copy of final report content related to them. The High Court dismissed their urgent application for an early copy of the final report content. The remainder of the second judicial review proceedings remain active in the High Court.

The Attorney-General will continue to defend these proceedings, together with the first judicial review proceedings where, as previously advised, leave to appeal to the Supreme Court has been sought by the Jehovah's Witnesses.

Exhibition of healing for survivors

Te Roopū Toiora is excited to invite you to He Kura Toiora – an exhibition of healing for survivors of abuse in case to be held at Te Auaha Gallery, Wellington 2-4 August 2024. This event will feature art, sculpture, poetry, music, dance, documentaries, and Tā moko - all by survivor artists.

Te Roopū Toiora was established in November 2022 as a national roopu of survivors of abuse in faith and state-based care. It was formed out of a desire to raise awareness of the national tragedy that is abuse in care and its impacts on survivors, whanau and communities. It will also create an enduring legacy for survivors following the release of the final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry.

The focus for TRT most recently has been on establishing itself as a charitable trust, and on hosting this first exhibition, which will draw on the work of members of TRT as well as other survivors who shared their art with the Royal Commission. We did not conduct a formal submission process for He Kura Toiora. The Te Roopū Trust board acknowledges comments about formal submission processes and will consider this for any future exhibitions and advocacy events that we host for and by survivors in the future.

This is a by survivor, for survivor roopu and we are so glad for your interest in us.

Please keep an eye out and follow us through Instagram and Facebook for more information:

• IG @te.roopu.roira
• FB @Te Roopū Toiora

Survivor Experiences Service

Now that the Royal Commission has delivered Whanaketia to the Governor General, the Commission is closed. The journey of course continues for survivors. We are aware that survivors may still want to share their experiences during this period, and this can be done through the Survivor Experience Service. Going since last year, the service will continue its vital work until the introduction of a new, independent redress system.

SES is for people who were abused in state, faith-based, or other forms of care (e.g. private schools, non-governmental organisations). It is also open to hearing the experiences of whānau of survivors. It aims to provide a space that can support healing for survivors of abuse in care, allowing their experiences to be heard, validated and acknowledged.

You can find out more about the service on its website.

Survivor Experiences Service

Help and support services

Survivors who were registered with the Royal Commission can reach out to our Contact and Support Centre if you want to discuss any questions or well-being support options.

• You can call us on 0800 222 727 or email us at contact@abuseincare.org.nz.
• Call us from Australia on free phone 1800 875 745.
• Write to us at PO Box 10071, Wellington 6140.

If you are worried about your or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call police immediately on 111. Or if you need to talk to someone else:

Alcohol and Drug Helpline 0800 787 797 or online chat for people dealing with an alcohol or other drug problem; 10 am to 10 pm.
Anxiety phone line 0800 269 4389 (0800 ANXIETY).
Depression Helpline 0800 111 757 or free text 4202 (to talk to a trained counsellor about how you are feeling or to ask any questions).
Family Services 211 Helpline 0800 211 211 for help finding (and direct transfer to) community based health and social support services in your area.
HELP 0800 623 1700 preventing sexual abuse and supporting survivors 24/7.
Lifeline 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP).
Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse Aotearoa New Zealand Support services for male survivors of sexual abuse. Refer to website for the support organisation nearest to you.
Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor.
OUTline NZ 0800 688 5463 (OUTLINE) provides confidential telephone support for sexuality or gender identity issues; 9 am to 9 pm weekdays, and 6 pm to 8 pm weekends).
Rape Crisis 0800 883 300 (for support after rape or sexual assault).
Safe to talk (Available 24/7) 0800 044 334, free txt 4334, email support@safetotalk.nz, live webchat on www.safetotalk.nz. Free and confidential information and support from trained counsellors for people affected by sexual harm in any way.
Samaritans 0800 726 666.
Shine 0508 744 633, free to call from any phone in NZ, and taking calls 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Call for confidential support, information, advice and referrals.
Skylight, 0800 299 100 for trauma, loss and grief; 9am–5pm weekdays.
SNAP - Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests Providing peer support for women and men wounded by religious and institutional authorities.
Suicide Crisis Helpline 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO).
Supporting Families in Mental Illness For families and whānau supporting a loved one who has a mental illness. Auckland 0800 732 825. 
Victim Support This free service provides emotional and practical support, information, financial assistance, referral to other support services and advocacy for the rights of victims.
Wellington HELP 0800 FOR HELP supports anyone and everyone who has been impacted by sexual violence. Call anytime.
Youthline 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat.