Source: New Zealand Government
The Government is encouraging New Zealanders to mark today’s National Day of Reflection to remember and acknowledge the survivors of abuse, harm and neglect in care.
“Two years ago, the Government delivered a formal apology to those who suffered abuse and neglect as children, young people and vulnerable adults in State and faith-based care,” says Erica Stanford, Lead Coordination Minister for the Government’s Response to the Royal Commission’s Report into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions.Care of Faith-based Institutions.
“But I recognise that an apology cannot undo what happened, nor can it take away the pain and lasting impacts experienced by survivors.
“For many, that harm continues to affect their lives every day. We must never lose sight of that.
“Today is an opportunity to acknowledge all survivors, recognise the courage of those who have shared their experiences, and remember those who are no longer with us.
“Their willingness to speak out has helped expose a deeply painful chapter in New Zealand’s history. We owe it to them to listen, to learn and to ensure their experiences are never forgotten.
“We also remember those who did not live to see their experiences acknowledged. They, too, deserve to be remembered.
“Every person in care deserves to be safe, to be heard, and to be treated with dignity and respect.
“As a Government, our responsibility does not end with an apology. We must continue to learn from the failures of the past and turn those lessons into meaningful, lasting change.”
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/11/12/national-day-of-reflection-remembering-survivors-of-abuse-in-care/