If there is an emergency, please dial 111 immediately. If you are unsure, dial 111 anyway. Otherwise, please visit our Helplines and Support Services page.
E tū kahikatea, hei whakapae ururoa Awhi mai Awhi atu Tātou tātou e Stand like the Kahikatea Stand against the storm Together, united, we will survive
Listen to the waiata on the Ngā Pihi 1 albumopen_in_new (ads may play before the waiata)
“The kahikatea has a shallow root system. Beneath the ground the roots of a stand form an intertwining mesh that provides support for a tree to grow to great heights. This is how they stand together.” Nā Hirini Melbourne (Te Wao Nui a Tāne).
We have heard from people who have been through the process of getting their records about how important it is to have support.
Below are some suggestions about kinds of support that might be useful. You can also check our list of support agencies, advocacy groups and helplinesopen_in_new.
Your wellbeing is important. Find ideas about keeping your Wellbeing Basket - Kōnae Oranga full.
We use Te Whare Tapa Whā as a model of oranga (wellbeing) and hauora (health).
The four dimensions of whānau (family), tinana (physical), hinengaro (mental and emotional), and wairua (spirituality) are considered, along with their relationships to the whenua (natural world and origins).
For some, this might also be a time to find professional support from a doctor (GP), counsellor or therapist.
Talk therapy may not suit everyone. There are other forms of therapy or services that can also be useful, such as mirimiri or kairongoā (Māori healing practitioners).
You might want practical support with the process, such as:
There are over 80 Citizens Advice Bureaus (CABs) throughout the country staffed by volunteers. Find a CAB | Citizens Advice Bureauopen_in_new.
You can also visit the website or call 0800 367 222. They also have a Youth Tool Kete | CAB Youth Tool Keteopen_in_new website especially for young people.
Tamariki or rangatahi, children or young people up to 25 years who are care experienced, can also access the support of a Kaiwhakamana (advocate) from Voyce Whakarongo Maiopen_in_new.
Similarly, Oranga Tamariki Transition services for 15 – 25 year olds should also be able to provide support, Transition support for rangatahi | Oranga Tamariki — Ministry for Childrenopen_in_new.
The Survivor Experiences Service is for people who were abused in state, faith-based, or other forms of care (for example, private schools, non-government organisations).
They are survivor-led, by survivors for survivors. It is guided by an independent Board, which includes survivors of abuse from diverse backgrounds.
They offer two services for survivors and whānau including opportunity for Sharing Experiences and Records Support. Survivor Experiences Service.open_in_new
If you are a survivor of abuse that occurred while under the guardianship or care of a government or faith-based organisation, you may find the following services useful.
Learn how the Survivor Experiences Service can helpopen_in_new you.
Survivor support groups on social mediaSome survivor support groups are also on social media. Search for them using keywords and location.
You can check the authenticity of groups on social media by checking how many followers they have, reading posts and comments.
NZCAST (Collective of Abused in State Care Charitable Trust). This is a non-government organisation, run by survivors for survivors offering various support. Visit the NZCAST websiteopen_in_new.
Some of these same organisations and groups may be useful if you are considering, or are already, making a claim.
Community Law - Find your nearest Community Law Centreopen_in_new.
Community Law offers legal representation through lawyers. You might also be eligible for legal aid.
Your local Citizens Advice Bureauopen_in_new.
You could also try ACC (Accident Compensation). ACC is the government agency that works with sensitive claims.
Have reminders to check in with yourself about how you are feeling at various points in the process.
There are no wrong or right decisions. You are in control of what you do and how you do it.
Some people have had their records for a few years and chosen not to read them. Others read them without hesitation. Some things to consider could be:
Having clear boundaries and good communication with whānau or other supporters is helpful. It is also helpful if everyone involved has a shared understanding of expectations - what is useful support, what is not, and what are people able to realistically do.
These things may change over time, so it is good to keep checking in.
How long it takes to get your records depending on things like:
What could you do if you receive few records or no records?
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