Survivor experiences Ngā kōrero a ngā purapura ora
Survivors’ experiences and voices – verbal, written, in sign language, in poetry, in music and in art – are the backbone of this Royal Commission.
Many tell us they are coming forward to make sure the Royal Commission’s work leads to meaningful change.
Since 2019, we have documented survivors’ experiences through public hearings and engagements such as wānanga and talanoa, in one-on-one conversations with survivors, in reports, in video recordings and through written profiles. We're gathering all of the experiences survivors have shared with the Royal Commission here. This is not an exhaustive list as yet – more will be added over the coming months.
The survivor experiences below remind us of the real-life stories of tamariki, rangatahi, and vulnerable adults abused and neglected in care. We thank all survivors who shared their experiences with us and with the public.
This content may be upsetting, so please take care before continuing.
We've grouped the survivors' experiences alphabetically, by first name or initial. You can use the links below to jump directly to the group you'd like to view:
Alison Pascoe
Alison Pascoe was committed to Kingseat Hospital at 8 years old. When she was 13 years old she was moved to Carrington Hospital where she remained until she was 48 years old. For decades, Alison suffered abuse, neglect and over-medicalisation. Alison said she never had a mental illness and never should have been placed in care. Alison passed away in September 2022 at 80 years old.
Watch Alison's survivor experience here.
Watch Alison's witness statement at the Disability, Deaf and Mental Health Institutional Hearing.
Ms AE
Ms AE was adopted from a young age and experienced physical, sexual and emotional abuse from her adoptive parents. She went through Allendale and Bollard Girls’ Home and spent time in foster care. Ms AE will talk about the effects the abuse has had on her, including the intergenerational effects of adoption on her connection to her whakapapa and culture.
Watch: Witness statement of Ms AE at the Māori public hearing
Ms AF
Ms AF has Sami, Navajo, Aboriginal and Māori – Ngāti Tāhinga me Whakatōhea – whakapapa. Ms AF's evidence relates to the abuse suffered in the care of her Pākehā adoptive family and in the care of Catholic institutions, including the forced adoption of her son. Ms AF tells the story of how her adoption and the recording of "European" as her ethnicity on her birth certificate had the effect of severing her connection to her whakapapa and whenua, and how those impacts have caused intergenerational harm for her whānau.
Watch: Witness statement of Ms AF at the Māori public hearing
Alan Nixon
Mr Nixon lived at Marylands School when he was eight to 14 years old, following time in foster care and various other residential homes. He was sexually abused by Brothers McGrath, Donnellan and Moloney and he witnessed the abuse of other students. In his statement to the Inquiry, Mr Nixon described the impact his time in care has had on his life including his criminal offending. He described how his offending in relation to church buildings resulted in the beginning of his redress process.
Watch: Witness statement of Alan Nixon for the Marylands School public hearing
Amy Bethune
Amy Bethune is of European and Māori descent. Her mother, Sharyn Collis, was admitted to Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit between 1973 and 1974. Ms Bethune gave evidence regarding her experience of the intergenerational impacts of her mother’s abuse in care, describing how it affected her schooling and health, and influenced the relationships she has with her mother and own children.
Watch: Statement of Amy Bethune for Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit hearing
Ann-Marie Shelley
Ann-Marie experienced abuse while in the care of several faith-based institutions. The abuse had a great impact on her life, and she faced obstacles and challenges while seeking redress. Ann-Marie sought redress both through engaging with the Abuse Protocol Committee of the Archdiocese of Wellington, and through laying a complaint with the Police. Her Police complaint eventually resulted in a conviction.
Watch: Statement of Ann-Marie Shelley for Faith-based Redress Hearing
Mr AQ
Mr AQ was in State care from a young age and had numerous placements, including attending Marylands School from 1963 to 1966. He gives evidence of the sexual abuse he suffered by Brother Thaddeus and the impact this abuse has had on his life and relationships. Mr AQ will also describe the barriers he faced to disclosing the abuse, and his experience with the St John of God order’s redress process.
Watch: Witness statement of Mr AQ for Marylands School public hearing
Bryon Nicol
Bryon (Nick) Nicol is of European descent. Bryon was in State care from 1972 until 1978. Bryon was sent to Stanmore Boys' Home, Holdsworth School, Hokio School, Kohitere, Dunedin Boys' Home, Lake Alice psychiatric hospital and a borstal in Invercargill. Throughout his time in care he experienced severe abuse.
Read: Bryon's profile from the Inquiry into the Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit here.
Watch: Statement of Bryon (Nick) Nicol for Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit hearing.
Daniel Rei
Mr Rei is Māori (Ngāti Toa Rangatira). He was in care in the Rosendale Family Home in New Plymouth, Hamilton Boys’ Home and Kohitere, from the age of 13 between December 1986 and April 1990. He suffered neglect in the Family Home, extreme violence from staff and other children at Melville and Kohitere, extensive periods in solitary confinement as punishment, and a lack of education while he was in State care. The impacts of abuse on Mr Rei include joining a gang at the age of 16, criminal offending, and a diagnosis of PTSD and a Generalised Anxiety Disorder.
Watch: Statement of Daniel Rei for Abuse in State children's residential care hearing
Des Hurring
Des Hurring, of Ngāi Tahu, Tasmanian Aboriginal and British descent, was sexually abused by a family friend from age eight. Des spent five years under Department of Social Welfare supervision before being sent to Lookout Point Boys’ Home in March 1976. In 1977, Des was sent to Kohitere Boys’ Training Centre in Levin. With tenacity and the support of whānau, Des is overcoming his struggles of addiction and other traumas from the years of abuse he suffered.
Read: Des's profile from He Purapura Ora, he Māra Tipu: From Redress to Puretumu Torowhānui here.
Mr DA
Mr DA gives evidence of being placed at St Joseph's Orphanage at a young age and then moved to Marylands School in 1955 at the age of 11. He describes being groomed and sexually abused at Marylands by Brother Thaddeus. Mr DA shares his experiences at other State care institutions including several psychiatric hospitals. He gives evidence about how these experiences have had an extreme impact on his life.
Watch: Witness statement of Mr DA for the Marylands School public hearing
Mr CB
Mr CB attended Marylands School in the 1960s, from the age 12 to 17. His family sent him to Marylands for a better education. Mr CB describes the lack of education and how he was instead put to work in the Marylands School kitchen. His evidence discusses the ongoing effects of the abuse and neglect on his life, including his inability to read.
Read: Mr CB's profile from Stolen Lives, Marked Souls
Watch: Witness statement of Mr CB for the Marylands School public hearing
Mr CE
Mr CE will share 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 School and Owairaka Boys’ Home where he experienced all forms of abuse. Samoan was Mr CE’s first language before he entered State care. Following State care, he could no longer speak Samoan and will describe the impacts of the loss of his cultural identity.
Watch: Statement of Mr CE for Tulou - Our Pacific Voices: Tatala e Pulonga hearing
Mr CZ
Mr CZ was referred to Marylands School by a family doctor and was resident at the school from 1973 to 1974. Mr CZ gives evidence about educational neglect, and that he was physically and sexually abused by several brothers, including Brother McGrath. Mr CZ received redress through the St John of God order’s redress process but did not have a positive experience. Mr CZ also reflects on the barriers for disclosure of abuse.
Watch: Witness statement of Mr CZ for the Marylands School public hearing
Mr DG
Mr DG was transferred from foster care to Marylands School by the Department of Social Welfare’s psychiatric services when he was nine years old. While at Marylands School he was repeatedly sexually abused by Brothers McGrath and Moloney. Mr DG’s evidence discusses how he reported the abuse to a St John of God brother and to a Department of Social Welfare social worker while at Marylands School. Mr DG says the abuse has shaped his life.
Watch: Witness statement of Mr DG for the Marylands School public hearing
Mr DL
Mr DL attended Marylands School from age 11. Mr DL will speak of the physical and sexual abuse he was subjected to by Brothers McGrath and Moloney at Marylands School. Mr DL will give evidence about his redress experience and how the abuse has had a long-lasting impact on him.
Watch: Witness statement of Mr DL for the Marylands School public hearing
Mrs D
Mrs D gives evidence of her treatment (and the treatment of her children) within St Mary’s Home for unwed mothers, including the forced adoption of two of her children. She also talks about her attempts for redress and the personal impact of both her treatment within the Anglican home and the subsequent interactions with the Church.
Ms C
Ms C will give evidence of the abuse of a Vicar within a Church and Youth Group setting. Ms C will also explain the Church grievance process and mediation she went through to try to ensure that the Vicar was not able to reoffend again. Ms C also discusses her experience of approaching the Police regarding the abuse.
Mr AL
Mr AL and his brother attended Marylands School from 1955 to 1959. He was among the first group of boys at Marylands School and had been transferred from St Joseph’s Orphanage. Mr AL speaks about the abuse he experienced and saw at St Joseph’s Orphanage and Marylands School. This includes physical and sexual abuse, as well as not receiving a proper education and being abused because of his Māori heritage.
Watch: Witness statement of Mr AL for the Marylands School public hearing
Mr AU
Mr AU was placed in the care of St Joseph’s Orphanage by his mother when he was 11 years old. Mr AU shares his experience of sexual abuse by priests and how this impacted his life. He will also describe his experience of reporting the abuse to the Police, and his redress process with the Sisters of Nazareth and the St John of God order.
Watch: Witness statement of Mr AU for the Marylands School public hearing
Mr AA
Mr AA is of Irish descent. Mr AA is a survivor of the Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit. Prior to admission to Lake Alice, he experienced abuse in his family home, by someone in his community, and spent time in Epuni Boys Home, Whatman Home, a Family Home and Kohitere Boys Home. Mr AA will give evidence on the impacts on his children, and the redress processes.
Watch: Statement of Mr AA for Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit hearing
Mr G
Mr G’s evidence outlines the abuse he experienced at Marist Brothers’ School in Whanganui. In late 2019, Mr G made a complaint to the National Office for Professional Standards after seeing an Otago Daily Times article which named his abuser as a serial offender who had been the subject of multiple complaints to the Marist Brothers. Mr G’s complaint to the National Office for Professional Standards has not yet been resolved, but his desired outcomes are a written apology, an acknowledgement of the issue of abuse within the Catholic Church, and an ex-gratia payment.
Watch: Statement of Mr G for the Faith-based Redress hearing
Mr EC
Mr EC is of Ngāti Maniapoto and Ngāti Kurī descent. He suffered from neglect, excessive labour, psychological and physical abuse from his foster carers. Mr EC was separated from his siblings and moved to multiple foster placements and borstal before spending time in prison. Mr EC speaks about his experiences and the impacts that foster care has had on his life and family relationships.
Watch: Witness statement of Mr EC for the Foster Care public hearing
Mrs EJ
Mrs EJ was taken into State care in 1990s and will give evidence of her experience in a foster home she used to call the ‘House of Horrors’. Her foster caregivers were held in high regard in the community, but behind closed doors Mrs EJ was abused and exploited as a free laborer on the family farm. Mrs EJ will share her attempts as a child to alert social workers and police to her abuse, highlighting a lack of advocacy and support for children and their voices in the care system.
Read: Witness statement of Ms EJ for the Foster Care public hearing
Hake Halo
Hake Halo was 6 years old when he left Niue to come to Aotearoa New Zealand with his family. He was 13 years old when he entered care and spent time in psychiatric hospitals and boys' homes.
Watch Hake's statement at the Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit hearing here.
Eddie Marriott
Mr Marriott is a survivor who started at Marylands School when he was five years old and remained a resident there until he was 15 years old. He shared his experience of being sexually abused by other students and St John of God brothers with the Inquiry. He described the impact of the abuse, including substance abuse, relationship difficulties, and lack of education and life skills. Mr Marriott also outlined his Police complaint and the St John of God Order's redress process.
Watch: Witness statement of Eddie Marriott for the Marylands School public hearing
Mr HZ
Mr HZ was 7 years old when he was taken off his parents and put into foster care. This was the beginning of his suffering in care. At the age of 9, Mr HZ was admitted to Lake Alice psychiatric hospital where he received electric shocks and was sexually abused. He was then sent to Marylands School, where he experienced more physical and sexual abuse.
Ms EF
Ms EF and her brother went into State care in the 1960’s at age 9 following her father’s conviction for sexual abuse of a child. Ms EF lived in multiple foster homes and was abused by her foster father in the last home. Ms EF talks about the separation from her brother, disorientation from multiple placements, and shutting down due to what was happening as lasting impacts of her experience. As an adult, having had a career involved with pastoral care of school children, she speaks about the need for wrap around and trauma informed support for children in care.
Watch: Witness statement of Ms EF for the Foster Care public hearing
Mr EH
Mr EH is a Pākehā male who will speak about the abuse and neglect he suffered while in foster care, and the life-long impacts of the abuse. Mr EH will discuss the extensive physical labour and farm work he was forced to undertake from a young age as part of his foster care placements and his reflections on leaving care at the age of 19.
Watch: Witness statement of Mr EH for the Foster Care public hearing
Ms EL
Ms EL is a Pākehā survivor who will give evidence on her experience in foster care, focusing on the sexual abuse she suffered in two foster placements. After leaving care, Ms EL notified the Department of Social Welfare of the abuse in both foster homes. One of these perpetrators was convicted of sexual offences against minors and Ms EL will speak to her experience as a witness at that trial. She will also provide details on her time in Kingslea Residential School, and the impacts of the abuse she experienced in care.
Read: Witness statement of Ms EL for the Foster Care public hearing
Ms EM
Ms EM will give evidence of her time in foster care, including the abuse and neglect she suffered at several placements. At one home, Ms EM suffered sexual abuse and made complaints to her social worker about it, but this was not responded to adequately. The perpetrator would later be convicted of sexual offences against minors. Ms EM will also share her experiences with the redress process, her interactions with government departments, and recommendations to improve the future care system.
Read: Witness statement of Ms EM for the Foster Care public hearing
Emery-James Wade
Emery-James Wade, of Ngāi Tahu and Waikato Tainui descent, grew up in Hamilton, the second eldest of eight children, and attended St Mary’s Cathedral School. Between 1982 and 1985, Emery-James served as an altar boy at St Mary’s Church for Father Mark Brown, who abused him first when he was aged nine and several times after that until he was aged ten.
Erica Dobson
Erica Dobson is of Cook Island and Ngāti Kahungunu descent. Erica is a survivor of State care and will share her experiences in foster care including how she was let down by the State’s policies and decisions regarding the placement of children. Erica will provide further background information about her foster brother who experienced the same abusive placements.
Watch: Witness statement of Erica Dobson for the Foster Care public hearing
Mr ES
Mr ES was in his early teens when he was sent to do community service work at Brother McGrath’s house. Mr ES suffered traumatic abuse at the hands of Brother McGrath. Mr ES discusses the ongoing effects of the abuse on his life and the importance of proper services and compensation for survivors of abuse.
Mr F
Mr F gave evidence about the abuse he experienced in his first year at St Patrick’s College, Silverstream in 1953. The abuse, by the Rector, who was a member of the Catholic Society of Mary, led Mr F to abandon school at the age of 14. Mr F’s evidence will set out how he has engaged with the Church, not only to address the effects of the abuse on his life, but his concern that the Catholic Church is still not dealing effectively with the issue of sexual abuse.
Fred Rawiri
Fred Rawiri is of Māori descent who now resides in Australia. Prior to his admission to the Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit, he was sent to Hamilton Boys’ Home and Hokio Beach School. Due to loneliness, he was given a psychiatric assessment and subsequently sent to Lake Alice. Mr Rawiri will give evidence on his life after Lake Alice, including redress, coping with stigma and how his emotional trauma impacts his everyday life.
Watch: Statement of Fred Rawiri for Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit hearing
Jacinda Thompson
Jacinda Thompson suffered abuse as a parishioner of the Nativity Anglican Church in Blenheim in the 2000s, by the parish priest. Mrs Thompson gave evidence to the Royal Commission about her efforts to try to obtain redress through the Anglican Church, Police, civil proceedings, Human Rights Commission and the Human Rights Review Tribunal.
Watch: Statement of Jacinda Thompson for the Faith-based Redress Hearing
Janet Lowe
Ms Lowe was placed in Hillsbrook Children’s Home, the Salvation Army’s Whatman Children’s Home and foster care, where she suffered abuse. Ms Lowe has made recommendations on changes to the redress process, after efforts were made on behalf of herself and others to obtain redress from The Salvation Army.
Watch: Statement of Janet Lowe for Faith-based Redress Hearing
Mr JB
Mr JB is a New Zealand European man with Irish heritage. His parents separated when he was very young. He was placed into care at the age of two, along with his older brother. at St Joseph’s Orphanage, Sunnyside Hospital and Methodist’s Children’s Home. He spoke of his experience of abuse, particularly in St Joseph’s, and the experience of applying for redress.
Mr JJ
Mr JJ is of Irish and Māori descent. He is a survivor of the Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit and Cherry Farm Hospital. Mr JJ will give evidence about how his experience at Lake Alice affected his relationships, employment prospects and educational opportunities.
Read: Statement of Mr JJ for Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit hearing
Justin Taia
Justin Taia is of Māori descent (Ngāti Ranginui). Mr Taia was 3 years old when he first entered care. He was sent to foster care, family homes, Campbell Park School, Hogben School, and Hebron Trust boys’ home – Kingslea Residential Centre Secure Unit. Mr Taia speaks about the traumatic impact the abuse he has experienced has had on his life.
Read: Justin's profile from the Stolen Lives, Marked Souls report
Ms K
Ms K, a child of a devoutly Catholic family, was abused in 1977 by two Marist brothers, Brothers Michael Beaumont and Kevin Healy (known as Brother Gordon), in her home in Masterton in 1977. Both were teachers at her older brother’s school, and both were active members in the local church and community.
Read: Ms K's profile from He Purapura Ora, he Māra Tipu: From Redress to Puretumu Torowhānui here.
Read: Statement of Ms K for Faith-based redress hearing
Kevin Banks
Kevin Banks is a survivor of Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit. He spent 24 months in the Child and Adolescent Unit over three admissions between 1973 and 1975. He also spent time in Epuni Boys Home. Mr Banks will give evidence about his complaints to the Department of Health, Medical Council and Police, and efforts to expose Dr Leeks’ behaviour.
Watch: Statement of Kevin Banks for the Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit hearing
Paul and Earl White
Brothers Paul and Earl White (not their real names) brought a claim in the High Court against the Crown for physical and sexual abuse they suffered while in State care at boys’ homes in the 1970s. Their case reached the High Court in 2007 and the Court of Appeal in 2010. The case had profound consequences for other survivors contemplating court action against the Crown.
Watch: Statement of Earl White (anonymised name) for State Redress Hearing
Mrs N
Mrs N was groomed and sexually abused by a teacher at St Margaret’s College, Christchurch, an Anglican high school. She shared her experience of making a complaint to the School, and of giving evidence at the Teaching Council with the Royal Commission.
Mr MM
Mr MM experienced abuse before being placed in care. He spent time at Ōwairaka, Oakley Hospital, several foster homes and Waikeria Borstal. He experienced significant abuse in care. While at borstal, he was wrongly accused of being involved in a fight with staff and convicted of serious violence charges. This impacted his future dealings with the justice system. He has received very little assistance to deal with the impacts of the abuse he experienced as a child.
Watch: Witness statement of Mr MM at the Māori public hearing
Ms NN
Ms NN will share her lived experiences of abuse in State care and social worker neglect, including how that neglect exacerbated her experiences of abuse. Ms NN will also talk about her experiences of racism in the State care system, and the impacts that the abuse, neglect, and racism have had on her.
Watch: Witness statement of Ms NN at the Māori public hearing
Steven Long
Mr Long was placed at Marylands School by the Department of Social Welfare at age seven. Mr Long experienced sexual, physical and emotional abuse while there. Prior to and following his placement at Marylands School, Mr Long was moved around various care institutions where he also suffered abuse. Mr Long received redress regarding his experiences at Marylands School and in State care, with the assistance of Cooper Legal.
Watch: Witness statement of Steven Long at the Marylands School public hearing
Read: Steven's profile from Stolen Lives, Marked Souls here.
Mr U
Mr U is Māori and affiliates to Ngāti Hako. In 1995, at the age of 14, he spent time in Weymouth as well as 3 months in Moerangi Treks. He experienced extensive periods of solitary confinement at Weymouth, and extreme violence and sexual abuse at Moerangi Treks. Mr U has been in and out of prison since leaving care, has struggled with drug addiction, and has been diagnosed with PTSD.
Watch: Statement "Mr U" for Abuse in State children's residential care
Rangi Wickliffe
Rangi Wickliffe is of Māori, Irish, Scottish and German descent. He was taken into care at the age of six, and was put into 13 foster homes within 12 months. Rangi was sent to Owairaka Boys Home, and then Holdsworth School. He also spent seven months in Lake Alice, in 1972 and 1973. Rangi gives evidence on his abuse, and the severe impacts it has had on his life.
Watch: Statement of Rangi Wickliffe for Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit hearing
Robert Oakly
Robert Oakly, was born in the Rai Valley in Marlborough. In 1967, when Robert was 10, the family moved to Hope, Nelson. Robert Oakly was about 15 or 16 when he was sexually abused by Bert Jameson. Bert Jameson, was an archdeacon of the Brightwater parish in the Anglican Church’s Nelson diocese, and a scout leader in the wider Nelson area.
Read: Robert's profile from He Purapura Ora, he Māra Tipu: From Redress to Puretumu Torowhānui here.
Watch: Statement of Robert Oakly for Faith-based Redress Hearing
Sharyn Collis
Sharyn Collis is of European descent. She attended Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit between 1973 and 1974 where she experienced sexual and psychological abuse as well as seclusion and electroconvulsive therapy. She gave evidence to the Inquiry evidence about the circumstances which led to her admission to Lake Alice, the impacts on her children and relationships, and her experience of the redress process with Grant Cameron.
Watch: Statement of Sharyn Collis for the Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit hearing
Ms TU
Ms TU is of Samoan heritage. She was adopted out at birth and placed with a Palagi family. Ms TU shares her adoption story, the impacts of the disconnection from her Samoan heritage and cultural roots, and the abuse and neglect she suffered in her adoption placement.
Watch: Witness statement of Ms TU at Tulou - Our Pacific Voices: Tatala e Pulonga hearing
Mr TY
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 before he was picked up by police and taken to Owairaka. Mr TY spent a lot of time in secure units and at the age of 60, is still haunted by the trauma he experienced in there.
Watch: Witness statement of Mr TY at Tulou - Our Pacific Voices: Tatala e Pulonga hearing
Tyrone Marks
Tyrone Marks is of English and Māori descent (Ngāti Raukawa). He was taken into care at the age of 8, and experienced serious abuse in multiple care settings. He spent around six months in Lake Alice over two admissions between 1972 and 1974.
Watch: Survivor Advocate Tyrone Marks
Watch: Statement of Tyrone Marks for the Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit hearing
Watch: Statement of Tyrone Marks for Abuse in State children's residential care hearing
William Wilson
William Wilson is a former student of Wesley College in South Auckland. He shared his experience of the ongoing physical abuse he received from prefects and senior students at the boarding school in the 1990s, and the abuse he witnessed. William described the long-lasting impacts the abuse has had on him and his Samoan cultural identity.
Watch: Witness statement of William Wilson for Tulou - Our Pacific Voices: Tatala e Pulonga hearing