Who can make a claim of abuse to the Ministry of Education?

You can make a claim if you are currently experiencing abuse in a state or state-integrated school 

The process of making a claim can be challenging. We encourage you to find the support that is right for you. We have some suggestions on this website about support for your wellbeing and support to help you with the claim process.

• State schools are funded by the government and managed by the Ministry of Education.  
• State-integrated schools are schools that used to be private but are now part of the state system. These schools have a ‘special character’ (usually a philosophical or religious belief). They are funded by the government but usually also charge compulsory fees.

If you are experiencing abuse in school now, you can make a complaint to the school board.  

If the abuser is breaking the law, you (or your parents/guardians or the school board) can make a complaint to the Police.

Learn more about redress and what it means to make a claim.

The Ministry of Education can help with making a claim

If you need support with reporting abuse to the school board or to the Police, you can get advice from the Ministry of Education Sensitive Claims Team (MoE Sensitive Claims).

You can contact MoE Sensitive Claims by:

• email Sensitive.Claims@education.govt.nz
• freephone (within NZ): 0800 663 252  
• post to:   

Sensitive claims
Ministry of Education   
PO Box 1666   
Wellington 6140.  

You can make a historic sensitive claim if you were abused in the past at a state-run school

You may be able to make a sensitive claim with MoE Sensitive Claims if you were abused or neglected while enrolled at:   

• a state specialist school before 1989 (a specialist school provides specialist education or support for students with specific physical, social, sensory or learning needs. This can include satellite units and special units.) 
• a state primary school before 1989 or  
• any state school that is now closed (including specialist schools and health camp schools).

A sensitive claim is for when you want redress (for example, a payment to acknowledge the harm you experienced, or an apology) for abuse or neglect in a state or state-integrated school.

If your claim is not covered by MoE Sensitive Claims, contact the school board

To make a claim about a State or State-integrated primary school after 1989 or a secondary school that is still open, you can take your claim to the school’s board.  

You can do this by contacting the board chairperson or school principal.  

Find contact details for state and state-integrated schoolsopen_in_new.

To make a claim about a private school, contact the school’s governing body (which may or may not be a school board).