Between 1950 and 2019 an estimated 655,000 children, young people and adults spent time in places where state (government) and faith-based organisations were responsible for or involved in decisions about their guardianship or care.
This included a wide range of places such as Children’s Homes and residences, hospitals, health camps, youth justice residences and borstals, placements with foster families, and state involvement in adoptions and care arrangements with whānau and kin.
For many years individuals, groups and organisations campaigned for an investigation into abuse that took place in state and faith-based institutions and placements.
In 2017 the United Nations Committee Against Torture (UNCAT) called for an inquiry. The same year survivors and the Human Rights Commission’s Never Again - E Kore Anō campaign called for an independent inquiry.
The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care was launched in early 2018 and later that year was expanded to include Faith-based Institutions.
It was to investigate what happened to children, young people, and adults who were placed in the care of state and faith-based institutions between 1950 and 1999.
More than 3000 people shared their experiences with the Royal Commission. Survivors of both state and faith-based institutions recounted their stories of abuse, many hoping to bring meaningful change to how such cases are handled in the future.
The Royal Commission released:
Learn more about the Royal Commission’s reportsopen_in_new.
The Crown Response Unit, now known as the Crown Response Office (CRO) was set up in 2018 to manage the Government’s response to the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry.
This involved:
Find out more about the Crown Response Officeopen_in_new.
The Royal Commission’s He Purapura Ora, He Māra Tipu: From Redress to Puretumu Torowhānui report highlighted the big challenges survivors face when accessing their records. These included long delays and incomplete or missing information.
To address this issue, there would be a website to guide people on how to access their records. The website aims to offer advice, information on people’s rights, and help people understand the records request process. It will not provide direct access to personal records.
Consultation with some survivors showed they were concerned a website hosted by a government agency may be difficult to trust. So, the government found a partner to create and manage a website that would guide people on how to access their records. Survivors were clear that they wanted the website to be independent of Government.
Citizens Advice Bureau New Zealandopen_in_new (CAB) was asked to take on this website project.
The CAB website team includes people with lived experience and whānau. CAB has also reached out to other people with lived experience and whānau for advice.
CAB are continuing to receive your feedback on this website and what improvements can be made to:
CAB are the kaitiaki (guardians) of this website and our team is committed to supporting people to access their records.
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