Commissioners will hear from three witnesses. Witness evidence summaries are outlined below.

After a witness speaks their full evidence, along with footage of them speaking, will be available for download.

The hearing is being live-streamed on the Abuse in Care website(external link). The link contains the full hearing schedule.

Hearing location: Fale o Samoa, 141 Bader Drive, Māngere, Auckland 2022

10.00am (approx.)

Pulotu Solomon

Pulotu Solomon was a watchman at Owairaka Boys’ home in 1962, when he was 26 years old. He witnessed abuse and was told to stay silent. He is now 77 years old, and this is the first time he has publicly shared what he witnessed at Owairaka. He has come forward to support the voices of survivors. His daughter, Tupe Solomon-Tanoa’i, will be reading his statement on his behalf.

11.45am (approx)

Ms CU

Ms CU shares her experience of coming forward to the Catholic Church and the police about the abuse her relative suffered by a Catholic Priest. She describes the complexities of this disclosure within a Tongan cultural framework and the impacts this experience has had on her and her wider family. 

3.30pm (approx.)

William Wilson

William Wilson is a former student of Wesley College in South Auckland. He will speak to the ongoing physical abuse he received from prefects and senior students at the boarding school in the 1990s and the abuse he witnessed. William will describe the long-lasting impacts the abuse has had on him and his Samoan cultural identity.  

Media enquiries: 027 298 2094; media@abuseincare.org.nz

About the Abuse in Care Inquiry

The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry is investigating the abuse and neglect that happened to children, young people and vulnerable adults in care from 1950 and 1999.