Independent Inquiry into Abuse in Care 

  • Independent Inquiry into Abuse in Care can hear about your abuse in care experiences after 1999.

People with abuse in care experiences after 1999 can still register to share their experiences with the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.

The Abuse in Care Inquiry is the biggest independent inquiry of its kind to be held in NZ’s history and is looking into the abuse and neglect that happened to children, young people and vulnerable adults in state and faith-based care. Through hearing from survivors, collating evidence and research, the Inquiry will produce findings about the abuse and neglect that occurred and make recommendations to the Governor General on how NZ can better care for children, young people and vulnerable adults.

In April 2021 the Government had controversially announced its proposal to reduce the scope of the Inquiry by reducing the opportunity to hear from survivors with experiences after 1999 and look at current care settings.

Following opposition from a number of survivor groups, advocates and care system stakeholders, including VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai, the Inquiry is able to continue to hear from people with abuse in care experiences after 1999 for the purposes of making recommendations on redress, or to ensure that factors that allowed abuse to occur in care do not persist.

To find out more information on how you could share your own abuse in care experience and the support available, you can visit the Royal Commission website here. The VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai team can also help support any young people who would like to consider taking part in the Inquiry.

Promise Three: Learning

Education as a gateway to dreams, rangatahi are supported to achieve aspirations.

Promise One: Care

Every tamaiti receives nurturing, protection, and provision, as any good parent would offer.

Promise Five: Voice

Tamariki and rangatahi are involved in decisions that affect them, and their voices are honoured.

Promise Four: Wellbeing

Timely, accessible, and culturally conscious health and mental health services are available to all taiohi.

Promise Two: Stability

Young people in care experience consistency, safety, and a sense of belonging.

Whānau care is where a child is being raised by someone in their whānau or extended family. Often it means a child living with their grandparents – but could also be another family member like an aunt, uncle or older sibling. Whāngai is the traditional Māori practice of whānau care.