A large number of questions and answers have been developed for information - they are in word or PDF format. They cover topics such as:

• Survivor Particpation
• Terms of Reference
• How the Inquiry worked
• Compensation or redress
• Costs
• Whanaketia - process
• Whanaketia - content
• Whanaketia - recommendations for the future
• Whanaketia - publication

Frequently asked questions (DOC, 100 KB)
Frequently asked questions (PDF, 435 KB)

How can I get a printed copy of Whanaketia?    

Whanaketia, the Inquiry’s final report, is over 2,800 pages in length and set out in 16 volumes.  Due to the size of the report, a limited number of copies were printed for:

• the Governor-General and for being tabled in Parliament as this is required by the Inquiries Act. 
• the National Library - as the legal deposit copy that must be deposited as a publication.   
• the National Archives offices in Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin.
• the Inquiry’s survivor advisory group members and its reference group members.

Printed copies are also available in some public libraries around the country including: Kaitaia, Whangarei, Auckland Central, Manukau, Hamilton, Gisborne, Hastings, Napier, Whakatane, Rotorua, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Levin, Masterton, Porirua, Upper Hutt, Wellington City, Tasman, Nelson, Blenheim, Hokitika, Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown, and Invercargill.

The Inquiry has made best efforts to make Whanaketia as accessible as possible to be read online.  You can read the HTML version, or access and print a word or PDF version of the file on the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care website: www.abuseincare.org.nz/reports/whanaketia

The executive summary is published in a range of accessible and alternative formats. These are: video with subtitles, New Zealand Sign Language, Braille, large print, audio file, easy read and a reo Māori translation.     

I want to share my experience of abuse; how can I do that?  

The Royal Commission of Inquiry’s role ended on 25 June 2024, the date it delivered its final report to the Governor-General of New Zealand, and the Inquiry is now closed.   

Survivors of abuse and neglect in State care and in the care of faith-based institutions can still share their experiences, through the Survivor Experiences Service.   

Once an experience is shared, the Survivor Experience Service can also offer other services such as wellbeing support, transcriptions, as well as assist in gaining access to personal care records.     

The Survivor Experience Service is available for people who were abused in State, faith-based, or other forms of care, as well as for a survivor’s whānau. Survivors and whānau can contact the Survivor Experiences Service to organise a time and place to share their experiences:   

• call 0800 456 090   
• text 8328   
• email contact@survivorexperiences.govt.nz   

You’ll find more information about them on their website at https://survivorexperiences.govt.nz/     

How do I make a claim for compensation regarding my experience of abuse and neglect in State care and / or in the care of faith-based institutions? 

 The Royal Commission of Inquiry into historical abuse in State care and in the care of faith-based institutions was set up to only investigate and report on: 

• the circumstances that led to people being taken into State care and in the care of faith-based institutions from 1950-1999 
• the nature and extent of abuse and neglect from 1950-1999 
• the impacts of abuse and neglect 
• the factors that led or contributed to abuse and neglect occurring 

The Royal Commission could then make recommendations relating only to: 

• changes to redress processes  
• steps to address the harm of abuse in care 
• changes to be made in the future to ensure that the factors that allowed abuse to occur during the Inquiry period in State care and in faith-based institutions do not persist.    

The Royal Commission had no role in processing claims for compensation or redress for historical or contemporary abuse and neglect in care.  

Historical claims processes for abuse and neglect in State care – information correct as at 4 September 2024: 

For survivors of historical abuse in State care, there are currently four claims processes available to you. 

Ministry of Social Development: 

If you experienced abuse and / or neglect while in the care of the Child Welfare Division, the Department of Social Welfare, the New Zealand Children and Young Persons Service, or Child, Youth and Family before 1 April 2017, you can: 

• call 0800 631 127 to speak with a Historic Claims staff member 
• email historicclaims@msd.govt.nz 
• find more information at https://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/work-programmes/historic-claims/index.html 

Oranga Tamariki: 

If you were experienced abuse and / or neglect in State care on or after 1 April 2017, you can: 

• email claims@ot.govt.nz 
• call 0508 326 459 
• let your social worker know that you would like to make a claim 
• find more information at https://www.orangatamariki.govt.nz/about-us/contact-us/feedback/claims/ 

Ministry of Health: 

If you experienced abuse and / or neglect while in the care of State-run psychiatric facilities and psychopaedic hospitals before 1 July 1993, you can: 

• email healthlegaleexecutiveassistant@health.govt.nz 
• call (04) 496 2000 
• write to Health Legal, Ministry of Health, PO Box 5013, Wellington 6145 
• find more information at https://www.health.govt.nz/about-us/contact-us/historic-abuse-claims 

Ministry of Education: 

If you experienced abuse and / or neglect at a specialist school or a primary school before 1989, or at any State school that is now closed (including specialist schools and health camp schools), you can: 

• call 0800 663 252 
• email sensitive.claims@education.govt.nz 
• find more information at https://www.education.govt.nz/our-work/our-role-and-our-people/contact-us/historic-claims-for-abuse-or-neglect-at-a-residential-special-school  

Historical claims processes for abuse and neglect in the care of faith-based institutions – information correct as at 4 September 2024:  

Please note that this list is not exhaustive and only includes those faiths the Inquiry has investigated that have a published process for claims of abuse and neglect: 

The Salvation Army 

If you experienced abuse and / or neglect in the care of The Salvation Army, you can: 

• Call 04 384 5649 
• Email abuse.support@salvationarmy.org.nz 
• Find more information at https://www.salvationarmy.org.nz/get-help/complaints-privacy  

The Catholic Church in Aotearoa New Zealand 

If you experienced abuse and / or neglect in the care of the Catholic Church, you can: 

• Call 0800 114 622 
• Email prof.standards@nzcbc.org.nz  
• Find more information at https://safeguarding.catholic.org.nz/report/  

Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia 

If you experienced abuse and / or neglect in the care of the Anglican Church, you can: 

• Call 0800 004 031 
• Email registrar@ministrystandards.org 
• Find more information at https://www.anglican.org.nz/Complaints  

Dilworth School 

If you experienced abuse in the care of Dilworth School, you can: 

• Call 0800 888 744 
• Email administrator@dwredress.org.nz 
• Find more information at https://dilworthredress.org.nz  

Presbyterian Church 

If you experienced abuse and / or neglect in the care of the Presbyterian Church, you can: 

• Call 0800 244 357 
• Email ComplaintsandDisputesManager@presbyterian.org.nz 
• Find more information at https://www.presbyterian.org.nz/about-us/contact-us/historic-abuse  

Methodist Church 

If you experienced abuse and / or neglect in the care of the Methodist Church, if appropriate you can contact your presbyter, minister or senior layperson in the first instance, or you can: 

• Call 0800 266 639 extn. 824. 
• Email generalsecretary@methodist.org.nz 
• Find more information at https://www.methodist.org.nz/tangata/wellness-and-safety/breaking-the-silence-on-historical-abuse/  

How can I get more information on the public apology the Prime Minister has committed to make to survivors of historical abuse and neglect in State care and in the care of faith-based institutions?  

As at 4 September 2024, the Crown Response Unit has been set up to respond to the recommendations made by the Inquiry, including the management of redress and information (when available) on the public apology that the Prime Minister committed to making on 12 November 2024.  The Crown Response Unit also releases a pānui with general updates, which you can register for at contact@abuseinquiryresponse.govt.nz   

How can survivors of abuse and neglect that are currently incarcerated get access to Whanaketia?  

In response to a request from the Department of Corrections, twenty-five copies of the full set of Whanaketia, through pain and trauma, from darkness to light, the Royal Commission’s final report, were sent to them to be distributed to all correctional facilities. 

The Inquiry was advised by the Department of Corrections that their intent is for Whanaketia, the Inquiry’s final report, to be made available through the prison library service.