Wiremu Waikari is of Ngāti Porou descent. He has reclaimed his ingoa as a way of rejecting his experiences of abuse in care. Wiremu spoke about being adopted, being placed in child welfare and state care. He discussed the abuse that he suffered in these settings, which included physical, verbal, psychological and sexual abuse. He also discussed his experiences of racism in the care system, and the impacts that racism had on him. Wiremu is now a qualified social worker and counsellor, and at the time of hearing worked as a Māori consultant and a Māori advisor to many organisations, including the Royal Commission of Inquiry. Wiremu shared his recommendations of cultural support and healing for Māori survivors of abuse.

Witness Statement