What the Royal Commission is about

We are looking into what happened to children, young people and vulnerable adults in State and faith-based care in Aotearoa New Zealand between the years 1950-99. We may also listen to survivor experiences before and after these dates.

How it works

The work began with setting the Terms of Reference, then moved into an information and evidence gathering phase. Through hearing from survivors, evidence and research, we will make recommendations to Governor General in 2023 on how New Zealand can better care for children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi

The Royal Commission's commitment to te Tiriti o Waitangi

Survivor Advisory Group

Early 2019 we announced the appointment of a Survivor Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE). The group represents survivors of abuse in State care and those from faith-based institutions.

Terms of Reference

The Terms of Reference describe the purpose and boundaries of the inquiry.

Working with Māori

Māori have been and continue to be significantly over-represented in State and faith-based care. This has been caused by the ongoing impacts of colonisation and structural and systemic racism across government organisations, for multiple generations.

Our people

This Inquiry is led by a Chair, four Commissioners, Senior Counsel Assisting and an Executive Director.

Deaf community

The Royal Commission worked with members of the Deaf community to create New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) videos about the Inquiry, the work we are doing, and how to engage and share your experience of abuse with us.

Pacific community

Between 1950 to 1999, a significant number of those removed from their families and placed in care were from Pacific communities. Of those placed in care, Pacific survivors have been over-represented as survivors of abuse in both State care and the care of faith-based institutions.