Kia Puāwai welcomes and acknowledges the national apology from Parliament and Government this week to survivors of abuse in state care, of which the Royal Commission into Abuse in State Care report estimates there are more than 200,000.
Our kaupapa or mission is that we believe all tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau deserve to thrive. While the national apology is important and a good start on the path to healing and redress, in itself it is not enough. We need to prevent the abuse of our tamariki and rangatahi in state care continuing.
Our hope is that there will now be real impetus for change in the way state care is provided across Aotearoa, to fulfil the Government's promises to care for those who need its support and awhi the most. We are keen to be part of the solution by working with Oranga Tamariki, iwi, and the sector more broadly. A key part of the solution is a dedicated focus on ensuring the right supports are in place as early as possible so that children can grow, flourish and prosper at home with their whānau.
We would like to recognise and commend the bravery of those who came forward to share their experiences as part of this process and our thoughts are with all the survivors of abuse in care across the motu. There is a list of telephone helplines, services and support available on the Crown Response to the Abuse in Care Inquiry website: https://www.abuseinquiryresponse.govt.nz/for-survivors/support-available/
“Take care of our children. Take care of what they hear. Take care of what they see. For how the children grow, so will the shape of Aotearoa.” - Dame Whina Cooper.