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Abuse in Care - Royal Commission of Inquiry

Abuse in Care - Royal Commission of Inquiry

This Royal Commission is an independent inquiry into abuse in state care and in the care of faith-based institutions in Aotearoa New Zealand.

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Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit Hearing 14 to 28 June 2021

About the hearing 

The Inquiry heard from survivors, experts and institutional witnesses about the abuse and neglect that occurred at the Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit. 

The hearing explored: 

  • what happened to children and young people at the unit 
  • why it happened 
  • what the Government, Police and professional bodies did to prevent and respond to abuse of children and adolescents in the unit. 

***Distressing content warning***

This material contains explicit descriptions of tūkino – abuse, harm and trauma – and may evoke strong negative, emotional responses for readers. Although this response may be unpleasant and difficult to tolerate, it is also appropriate to feel upset. Respect others’ truths, breathe deeply, take care of your spirit and be gentle with your heart. However, if you or someone in your close circle needs support, please contact your healthcare or wellbing provider.

Hearing schedule

Outlined below are the survivors and experts that spoke at the hearing. Witness statements, briefs of evidence, video footage and transcripts of their testimony can be accessed through the links below. 

Day 1: 14 June 2021 

  • Opening statements 
  • Hake Halo
  • Dr Sutherland and Dr Ross Galbreath
  • Tony Sutherland 
  • Craig Jackson 

Day 2: 15 June 2021 

  • Tyrone Marks 
  • Rangi Wickcliffe 
  • John Watson 
  • Michael Doolan 

Day 3: 16 June 2021 

  • Kevin Banks 
  • Walton Ngatai-Mathieson 
  • Bryon (Nick) Nicol
  • Dr Barry Parsonson 
  • Bruce Gibson, Victor Boyd and Michael Ferriss (on behalf of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights) 

Day 4: 17 June 2021 

  • Donald Ku 
  • Alan Hendricks 
  • Fred Rawiri 
  • Ms CC 

Day 5: 18 June 2021 

  • Sharyn Collis and Amy Bethune 
  • Malcom Richards 
  • Mr JJ 
  • Deborah Dickson 

Day 6: 21 June 2021 

  • Brian Stabb 
  • Grant Cameron 
  • Gloria Barr 

Day 7: 22 June 2021 

  • Denis Hesseltine 
  • Janice Wilson 
  • David Baron 
  • Ms LL read by Ms Y 

Day 8: 23 June 2021 

  • Mr AA 
  • Charles Symes 
  • Medical Council – Aleyna Hall and David Dunbar 
  • Victor Soeterik 

Day 9: 24 June 2021 

  • Andrew Jane 
  • Paul Zentveld 
  • Thomas Fitzgerald 
  • Malcolm Burgess 

Day 10: 25 June 2021 

  • Malcolm Burgess (continued) 
  • Thomas Fitzgerald (continued) 

Day 11: 28 June 2021 

  • Una Jagose QC  
  • Closing statements 
Public hearings
  • Faith-based Institutional Response Hearing
  • State Institutional Response Hearing
  • Ūhia te māramatanga Disability, Deaf and Mental Health Institutional Care Hearing
  • Foster Care Hearing
  • Tō muri te pō roa, tērā a Pokopoko Whiti-te-rā (Māori Experiences) Hearing
  • Marylands School (St John of God) Hearing
  • Tulou – Our Pacific Voices: Tatala e Pulonga (Pacific Peoples’ Experiences) Hearing
  • Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit Hearing
  • State Children’s Residential Care Hearing
  • Faith-based Redress Hearing (phase 2)
  • Faith-based Redress Hearing (phase 1)
  • State Redress Hearing (Phase 2)
  • State Redress Hearing (Phase 1)
  • Contextual hearing
  • Procedural Hearing
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