Distressing content warning. Tigilau Ness is a first-generation New Zealand-born Niuean. A musician, political activist and member of the Polynesian Panthers, Tigilau spoke about his involvement in the social movement against the targeting of

Distressing content warning. Rupene Amato is of Samoan and Māori descent. He grew up in Wairoa and attended a Catholic primary school where he was sexually abused by a Catholic Priest. He talked about the impacts of this abuse and his work as an

Distressing content warning. Leota Scanlon, a man of Samoan descent, was a patient at the Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit. Leota talked about the abuse he suffered at Lake Alice, including electric shocks, paraldehyde injections, physical abuse

Distressing content warning. Rachael Umaga is of Samoan descent. She gave evidence about her experiences as a patient in psychiatric units in Wellington. Rachael described the lack of care she received, the on-going practice of over-medicating

Distressing content warning. Mr VT migrated from Samoa with his family in the 1980s. At primary school he came to the attention of the State due to physical violence in the home. Mr VT had many State care placements where he experienced different

Distressing content warning. Mr CE shared his experience of migrating from Samoa with his family at a young age and his pathway into care following serious physical violence at home. Mr CE spent periods of time at Weymouth Boys’ Home, Hokio Beach

Distressing content warning. Ms TU is of Samoan heritage. She was adopted out at birth and placed with a Palagi family. Ms TU shared her adoption story, the impacts of the disconnection from her Samoan heritage and cultural roots, and the abuse and

Distressing content warning. Ms CU shared her experience of coming forward to the Catholic Church and the police about the abuse her relative suffered by a Catholic Priest. She described the complexities of this disclosure within a Tongan cultural

Distressing content warning. Mr TY is a Samoan male who was placed in Owairaka and Kohitere after running away from home at the age of 12. Mr TY ran away because of the abuse he was experiencing at home. He lived in a treehouse for three months

Distressing content warning. At the time of the hearing Folasaitu Dr Julia Ioane was a Clinical Psychologist and Associate Professor in Psychology at Massey University. She continued to work directly with Pasifika children and families involved in