Official announcements from the New Zealand government or related press releases

New Zealand PM Luxon Apologizes to 200,000 Survivors of Abuse in State and Church Care

Nov 12, 2024, 04:18 AM

New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has formally apologized to survivors of abuse in state and church care. The apology acknowledges the 'horrific' and 'unimaginable pain' suffered by hundreds of thousands of young people and vulnerable adults over the past 70 years. An inquiry found that 200,000 children and vulnerable adults were abused, with Indigenous Maori disproportionately affected. The apology was delivered in Parliament, representing both the current and past governments, and addressed the abuse that occurred in children's homes, psychiatric hospitals, and other faith-based institutions. Luxon's speech in the House of Representatives was part of the national apology, which was described as unreserved.