‘You deserved so much better’ – Christopher Luxon apologizes to survivors of healthcare abuse

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has addressed abuse survivors gathered in Parliament and watching from across the country, acknowledging the horrific heartbreak.

“You have been heard. And you are believed,” Luxon said in the debate room.

“I’m sorry you weren’t believed when you came forward to report your abuse.

“I am sorry that many bystanders – staff, volunteers and carers – turned a blind eye and failed to stop or report the abuse. I’m sorry that the state’s supervision of people in healthcare was so poor.

‘I’m sorry that many abusers have not been brought to justice, which has meant that other people have experienced abuse that could have been prevented.

“I am sorry that the state did not act quickly and boldly enough to provide much better protection for people at all sites of care, and that those acting on behalf of the Crown have lost sight of you – the people behind the claims.”

Some in the public gallery stood to listen to his words, one of those occasions when only a few seats remained empty.

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The acknowledgment and apology are long overdue. While much more action was needed – including appropriate compensation and indemnification – this was a start – something Luxon itself recognized.

“It is clear that words must be accompanied by action,” he said. “We must do what is right for you and provide you with the support you need. Secondly, we must do everything we can to prevent abuse in the future.”

He said many survivors did not want to participate in the current compensation process – but more than 3,500 did – and indicated that another $32 million would be funneled into that system “while we work on the new recovery system.”

Opposition Leader Chris Hipkins said he had formally joined the government in its apology and said the day was an important step forward.

“Today is a hugely important day for all of you, to finally hear what the Crown has been unable to offer you all these years: an apology. It is a hugely important day for us – the representatives of the Crown and of successive governments – that we finally, finally acknowledge the thousands of confronting experiences of neglect, abuse, trauma, torture, and that we finally fully acknowledge our shortcomings and express our sincere to apologize.

“We’re sorry. Today, all of Aotearoa New Zealand will bear witness to the truth, to what the survivors have experienced, to our decades of willful ignorance, denial, minimization and to our commitment to put an end to such atrocities and despicable acts.”

He said the country owes a huge debt to the survivors.

Survivors are speaking out

Three survivors had also previously been selected to speak.

Fa’afete Taito recognized those who had “left to join their ancestors” and others who had come forward but were ignored.

“Without you, there wouldn’t have been today.

“It hurts to avoid the pain. But beyond that, we wanted and needed some responsibility for what happened to us.”

He said the survivors would see what responsibility looked like.

“No matter what happens today, it is our collective power that will contribute most to our healing journey. We have ourselves to thank for that.”

Keith Wiffen, who spent time at the Epuni Boys’ Home, said he had previously heard “meaningless words” from the state. He also acknowledged those who had died before seeing today’s apology or effective recovery, and called on the Prime Minister to work on that.

‘You gave hope and you raised the expectation that reparation would come soon. It’s time to get results.

“Prime Minister, you must hold churches and faith-based organizations accountable. You must force them to do what is right, as the state has an obligation to all children under its roof.”

Tu Chapman called for the abolition of the Children’s Ministry, Oranga Tamariki, telling the Prime Minister “you owe us now”.

Before he turned two, Chapman was placed in state care and remained there until they were 17.

“Five minutes. That’s what each of us has been given to speak on behalf of tens of thousands of survivors in response to today’s apology. Five minutes for decades of abuse, neglect and torture by those who run the state, church and faith. Five minutes is all this regime has given us to respond to the apology of a Prime Minister we have not even heard yet.

“Prime Minister, put your money where your mouth is.”

Apologies from the public sector

The day started with Prime Minister Erica Stanford welcoming 250 survivors to Parliament’s banquet hall and telling them: “Today is about you.”

“You will never be forgotten. The stories of thousands of brave survivors will be forever etched in the pages of our history.”

They also heard from leaders of public sector institutions, with Oranga Tamariki’s Andrew Bridgman recognizing the fear and abuse faced by children in the state’s care.

“When you asked for help, we didn’t listen. When you showed us the bruises, we looked away… we’re sorry we didn’t give you a safe place to grow up.”

Some in the audience exclaimed that “sorry isn’t enough,” and others shook their heads in disbelief as Bridgman spoke.

Director-General of Health Diana Sarfati said the health system has failed them, with inadequate systems for reporting abuse and neglect – and a failure to act when it was reported.

“In some cases, this so-called treatment was so abhorrent that the United Nations and the government recognized it as torture. This abuse was perpetrated by people in positions of authority that survivors should have been able to rely on, including caregivers and health care workers. .”

Education Secretary Andy Johnson acknowledged that the care and needs of survivors should have been the priority “and it wasn’t… it wasn’t your fault… our failings cut across many communities and cultures”.

“Apology without change is abuse,” one crowd member shouted as Jackson received sporadic applause.

Social Development CEO Debbie Power said the department may have believed it was protecting children from harm, “but many times we put you at risk. We did not always protect you, for that I am deeply sorry.”

“Our recovery process has not always gotten things on track. I accept the Royal Commission’s finding that it has been slow, traumatizing and litigious for some of you.”

The public’s response to Power was the most vociferous yet – with some calling on her to release their files – but the strongest response was reserved for Solicitor General Una Jagose, the head of Crown Law.

At times she had to stop speaking and struggled to be heard by the crowd, even though some walked out.

“I’m here today to say I’m sorry,” she said.

“No, it’s not,” someone said. “You wanted us dead,” said another; “You never treated us with dignity,”; “You got paid a lot of money to shut us up.”

“I will not look away. We will do better,” Jagose concluded with boos and a small number of claps sounded throughout the room.

Acting Police Commissioner Tania Kura received a much calmer response and the loudest applause, acknowledging that police had at times harbored bias against the victims, sometimes disbelieving the stories or failing to investigate.

“We asked no questions when you walked away and we relied on the explanations of the people we returned you to. These failures spanned decades across multiple police administrations and as the current commissioner I take full responsibility.”

Finally, the Public Service Commissioner recognized the inability of the public sector to ensure and enforce the integrity and conduct standards of public servants.

“I regret that we have not always lived up to those responsibilities.”