Redress System for Abuse in Care Bill – Info Sheet

  • Submissions close: 11:59pm Wednesday 26th November 2025

Submission close 11.59pm Wednesday 26th November 2025

You can the full Redress System for Abuse in Care HERE

What is this Bill saying?

This Bill introduces a presumption against financial redress for serious violent or sexual offenders.

What does this mean?

The Bill proposes measures that will make it harder for Survivors of abuse in state care to access compensation if they have a criminal record of violent or sexual offending.

Why is this unfair?

Because it puts a focus on the reputation of the redress scheme above ensuring redress for all Survivors of abuse in state care.

It means that the known effects and impacts of childhood abuse are being used by the state to avoid liability for the harm they inflicted.

What are some arguments against the Bill?

  • Abuse inflicted by the state is often the cause of criminal behaviour.

The Bill ignores the link between between childhood abuse and criminal behaviour. Abuse inflicted by the State is often what causes the behaviours that have led to a conviction. The State is not taking responsibility for this.

  • Survivors who have been sentenced for a crime are already being punished.

These Survivors have already been sentenced. It is unfair to punish Survivors twice.

  • The Bill goes against the recommendations from the Royal Commission.

The Government is ignoring recommendations from the Royal Commission for a Survivor-focused, trauma-informed redress system which includes Survivors who are in prison or have a criminal record.

  • The Bill goes against the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child requires the State to provide redress to ALL victims of institutional abuse, without discrimination.

More info on the Bill:

https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/10/15/govt-to-make-it-harder-for-some-abuse-survivors-to-access-redress/
https://www.vine.org.nz/news/redress-system-for-abuse-in-care-bill-open-for-submissions-abuse-in-care-reports-updates
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/576566/state-abuse-redress-carve-out-for-criminals-decried-by-opposition
https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/10/26/abuse-in-state-care-proposed-compensation-change-for-serious-offenders/

Check out our guide on making a submission here:

A Guide To Making A Written SubmissionDownload

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.