Quick Exit

Royal Commission extended as new evidence emerges

Today the Government will announce that it has extended our final report deadline from 30 June 2023 to 28 March 2024. The Minister of Internal Affairs Hon Barbara Edmonds is due to make an announcement on the extension in the next few hours, so please keep this information confidential until after the Minister's announcement. 

We welcome the extension. It acknowledges the enormity of this inquiry and the importance of getting it right. However, we also know that survivors have been waiting a long time for recognition of the abuse and neglect that they suffered in the care of the State and faith-based institutions. It is with this in mind that the Royal Commission will continue to work hard to ensure that its final report is impactful and, importantly, creates change. 

Set by the Government, the Royal Commission has the largest Terms of Reference of any Inquiry in the world. Our final report and recommendations must be robust and credibly meet the Terms of Reference, as well the expectation of the courageous survivors who shared their care experiences and ongoing impact.  

The scale of abuse is beyond what was expected at the start of this inquiry. Up until registrations closed on 21 March 2023, survivors continued to come forward to be heard. We also continue to receive significant amounts of new evidence. We have received new 450,000 evidential documents recently and held 133 days of public hearings and many survivor engagements across the motu. 

We are now focused on analysing this information, testing and refining our findings and recommendations to ensure they will affect meaningful change to prevent abuse in care happening again. 

Over the coming weeks, the Commission will begin testing recommendations with survivors, iwi, Māori, Pacific community, mental health sector, disability sector, rainbow community, faith leaders and Government. Some sectors may require more time than others for testing, while some ideas will need more time to refine.  

We will also release a case study report on St John of God’s Marylands School later this year.

As you are aware, the Royal Commission prioritised the He Purapura Ora, he Māra Tipu - From Redress to Puretumu Torowhānui report ahead of its final report so the Government could swiftly implement a redress system that was fair to and worked for survivors. We are encouraging the Government to implement our Redress recommendations at pace. 

We will progress our mahi as quickly as possible to shine a light on the atrocities of the past and deliver a report and set of recommendations that demand transformational change in the way we nurture and protect tamariki, rangatahi and adults in care.

 
How to get in touch with us

Call us in New Zealand on 0800 222 727 between 8.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday, or text 8185.

Call us from Australia on free phone 1800 875 745.

Write to us at PO Box 10071Wellington 6140.

Visit our website www.abuseincare.org.nz.
 

Help and support services

  • Alcohol and Drug Helpline 0800 787 797 or online chat for people dealing with an alcohol or other drug problem; 10 am to 10 pm
  • Anxiety phone line 0800 269 4389 (0800 ANXIETY)
  • Depression Helpline 0800 111 757 or free text 4202 (to talk to a trained counsellor about how you are feeling or to ask any questions)
  • Family Services 211 Helpline 0800 211 211 for help finding (and direct transfer to) community based health and social support services in your area.
  • HELP 0800 623 1700 preventing sexual abuse and supporting survivors 24/7.
  • Lifeline 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP)
  • Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse Aotearoa New Zealand Support services for male survivors of sexual abuse. Refer to website for the support organisation nearest to you.
  • Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor
  • OUTline NZ 0800 688 5463 (OUTLINE) provides confidential telephone support for sexuality or gender identity issues; 9 am to 9 pm weekdays, and 6 pm to 8 pm weekends)
  • Rape Crisis 0800 883 300 (for support after rape or sexual assault)
  • Safe to talk (Available 24/7) 0800 044 334, free txt 4334, email support@safetotalk.nz, live webchat on www.safetotalk.nz. Free and confidential information and support from trained counsellors for people affected by sexual harm in any way.
  • Samaritans 0800 726 666.
  • Shine 0508 744 633, free to call from any phone in NZ, and taking calls 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Call for confidential support, information, advice and referrals.
  • Skylight, 0800 299 100 for trauma, loss and grief; 9am–5pm weekdays.
  • SNAP - Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests Providing peer support for women and men wounded by religious and institutional authorities
  • Suicide Crisis Helpline 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO).
  • Supporting Families in Mental Illness For families and whānau supporting a loved one who has a mental illness. Auckland 0800 732 825. 
  • Victim Support This free service provides emotional and practical support, information, financial assistance, referral to other support services and advocacy for the rights of victims.
  • Wellington HELP 0800 FOR HELP supports anyone and everyone who has been impacted by sexual violence. Call anytime.
  • Youthline 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat