New Zealand Announces National Day to Acknowledge Care Abuse Survivors, Allocating $1 Million for Local Events

In a landmark move to honor the enduring legacy of abuse and neglect suffered by countless New Zealanders in state and faith-based care institutions, the government has announced that November 12 will be designated as a national day of acknowledgment. This date marks the anniversary of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's historic apology to survivors of abuse in care, delivered in Parliament on November 12, 2024. The decision comes as part of a broader effort to confront the painful history of institutional abuse and to ensure that survivors are at the center of the commemoration.

Lead Coordination Minister Erica Stanford has confirmed that a $1 million contestable fund will be made available for local and regional events. This initiative is designed to empower survivor-focused groups and organizations to hold events that reflect the unique needs and voices of survivors. Up to $10,000 will be available for local events, and up to $25,000 for regional events, allowing communities across the country to participate in meaningful ways.

The announcement follows the release of the Abuse in Care Royal Commission report in July 2024, a six-year investigation that exposed the systemic failures of state and faith-based care institutions. The report, spanning 2,944 pages, described the abuse as a “national disgrace,” revealing that an estimated 655,000 children, young people, and adults were in care between 1950 and 2019. Of these, approximately 200,000 were subjected to abuse, with even more experiencing neglect. The true scale of the harm remains unknown due to incomplete or lost records.

On November 12, 2024, around 200 survivors attended Parliament to witness Luxon's formal apology, a moment described by the Prime Minister as deeply personal and reflective of the nation's failure to protect its most vulnerable citizens. “You deserved so much better,” Luxon said, expressing regret that survivors were not believed when they came forward, and that many bystanders failed to act against abuse.

In addition to the national day of acknowledgment, the government has also taken steps to support survivors of the notorious Lake Alice torture program, which operated in the 1970s and 1980s. The program, which involved the use of electric shocks and paraldehyde injections, has prompted the establishment of a redress pool. Initially allocated $22.68 million, the pool has been expanded by $7 million, bringing the total to $29.68 million. As of July 18, 137 applicants have been deemed eligible for redress, with options including a rapid $150,000 payment or an individualized assessment of the level of torture experienced.

The government's efforts to address the legacy of abuse in care are not limited to financial redress. Through the proposed national day of acknowledgment, the focus is on ensuring that survivors are not only heard but also empowered to shape the commemoration in ways that resonate with their experiences. This approach reflects a growing recognition that healing requires more than monetary compensation—it demands a collective reckoning with the past and a commitment to preventing such harm from occurring again.

As New Zealand moves forward, the national day of acknowledgment and the associated funding initiatives represent a significant step toward reconciliation and accountability. By centering the voices of survivors, the government aims to foster a culture of remembrance, justice, and healing that honors the resilience of those who endured these injustices.