Summarised by Centrist
The final report of New Zealand’s Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care has been submitted, marking the end of a five-and-a-half-year investigation.
Established in 2018, the inquiry examined abuse in state and faith-based care from 1950 to 1999, impacting an estimated 250,000 individuals.
The commission, led by Judge Coral Shaw, labelled the abuse as “a national disgrace” and noted the overrepresentation of Māori, Pacific people, and disabled individuals among victims.
Key recommendations include establishing an independent redress system and issuing a formal apology.
This inquiry stands as New Zealand’s most extensive and costly, with nearly $170 million spent to date.
The inquiry faced multiple extensions and controversies, including leadership changes and allegations of mishandling survivors’ testimonies.
Despite challenges, the commission conducted extensive research and public hearings, revealing the impact of historical abuse and the failures of previous redress efforts.
