On Wednesday, New Zealand's independent inquiry released a groundbreaking final report that has left the nation reeling. This extensive investigation revealed a shocking history of abuse inflicted upon children and vulnerable adults over several decades. The scale of the mistreatment was described as “unimaginable,” with the inquiry estimating that around 200,000 individuals, many of whom were Māori (New Zealand’s Indigenous people), suffered abuse in state institutions, foster care, and religious settings.
A History of Betrayal
The Royal Commission’s findings have exposed a dark chapter in New Zealand's history, highlighting a profound failure by state agencies and religious institutions to protect those in their care. The inquiry uncovered that nearly a third of the 650,000 children and vulnerable adults who were in state, foster, or church care between 1950 and 2019 experienced some form of abuse—be it physical, sexual, verbal, or psychological. This translates to a staggering number of victims in a country with a population of just 5 million.
Government's Acknowledgment and Commitment
In response to these revelations, the New Zealand government has, for the first time, acknowledged that the historical treatment of some children in a notorious state-run hospital amounted to torture. They have committed to a formal apology to all those who were abused in state, foster, and religious care since 1950. However, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon stated that it’s too early to determine the exact compensation amount, which the inquiry estimates could reach billions of dollars. He also refrained from promising that officials responsible for covering up the abuse would lose their jobs.
Luxon expressed his shock at the findings and admitted that the government had been “oblivious or indifferent” to the suffering of these individuals while focusing instead on protecting institutional reputations. The Prime Minister indicated that a formal apology to survivors would be delivered on November 12. “We always thought that we were exceptional and different, and the reality is we’re not,” Luxon reflected, acknowledging this as a “dark and sorrowful day” for New Zealand.
An In-Depth Investigation
The Royal Commission, the highest level of inquiry in New Zealand, conducted this investigation over six years, building on a global trend of reckoning with similar transgressions. This inquiry stands as the most extensive of its kind, delving into abuse across state institutions, foster care, religious organizations, medical, and educational settings. Nearly 2,500 survivors were interviewed as part of this monumental investigation.
Among the findings, it was noted that Indigenous Māori children were disproportionately affected. Despite making up less than 20% of New Zealand’s population during the period in question, Māori children were overrepresented in the care system, often placed in harsher facilities. The report also revealed that many of New Zealand’s criminal gang members and prisoners had spent time in care, underscoring a broader societal impact.
Institutional Failures and Recommendations
The report criticized some senior figures in government and faith institutions for their continued denial and minimization of the abuse. It highlighted that many of the worst abuses were already known, but officials chose to cover them up rather than protect the children. The inquiry has made 138 recommendations aimed at reforming New Zealand's laws, societal structures, and government policies.
Among the key recommendations:
- Apologies from State and Church Leaders: The inquiry has called for formal apologies from state and church leaders, including Pope Francis.
- Creation of Prosecutorial Offices: It endorsed the establishment of dedicated offices to prosecute abusers and manage redress.
- Reform of Legal Systems: Recommendations include overhauling civil and criminal laws and reworking the child welfare system.
- Searching for Unmarked Graves: The report advocates for the search for unmarked graves at psychiatric facilities.
- Renaming Public Monuments: It suggested renaming streets and monuments dedicated to known abusers.
These recommendations are crucial, especially given the inquiry’s finding that the average lifetime cost of abuse for a survivor is about 857,000 New Zealand dollars (approximately $508,000 USD). This figure accounts for both direct expenses and the immense personal suffering and lost opportunities experienced by survivors.
Challenges and Responses
The road to redress has been long and arduous. Despite the findings, survivors have faced significant hurdles in seeking justice and compensation. Government agencies have previously argued against the need for such an extensive inquiry and rejected claims of endemic abuse. Some survivors have settled out of court for minimal amounts, but many still await substantial recognition and compensation.
Tu Chapman, a survivor and advocate, has called for immediate action on redress, emphasizing that further delays are causing additional suffering for those who have waited decades for acknowledgment. Meanwhile, Chris Hipkins, leader of New Zealand’s opposition Labour Party, has described the situation as a “nationwide intergenerational shame,” suggesting that the issue is far from resolved.
Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, an opposition lawmaker and co-leader of the Māori Party, voiced frustration over the government’s need for more time to digest the report. She questioned, “What the hell has changed for us?”—a sentiment reflecting the continued urgency for effective action.
Moving Forward
As New Zealand grapples with these revelations, the focus now shifts to implementing the Royal Commission’s recommendations and ensuring that survivors receive the justice and support they deserve. The government’s commitment to addressing these issues and the public’s reaction will be crucial in shaping the future of New Zealand’s response to this national tragedy.
The inquiry’s findings serve as a powerful reminder of the need for vigilance and accountability in safeguarding vulnerable populations. The hope now is that the lessons learned from this painful chapter will drive meaningful reforms and prevent such abuses from occurring in the future.
Login