On 18 March 2026, the government announced it will extend the core State redress system to include survivors of abuse in State-run mental health facilities from 1 July 1993 to 30 June 2022. Find more information on the Extension of core State redress system.
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About the Historic Abuse Resolution Service
The Ministry of Health administers claims relating to allegations of abuse in state-run psychiatric facilities and psychopaedic hospitals before 30 June 2022. Such abuse includes allegations of physical abuse, sexual abuse or treatment used as punishment (such as ECT or solitary confinement) while in care.
If you suffered abuse while in care, you can make a claim with the Ministry of Health’s Historic Abuse Resolution Service. The service provides a way of acknowledging the experiences of patients and of helping ensure they are not repeated.
We will review your claim, and in appropriate cases where there is information to support a claim, provide an apology, and may also provide a wellbeing payment to you.
In 2005, the Confidential Forum for Former In-Patients of Psychiatric Hospitals was established. This was succeeded by the Confidential Listening and Assistance Service in 2008 and the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care in 2018.
Participants in the Forum, the Service and the Inquiry, highlighted abuse suffered while in care in state-run psychiatric facilities and psychopaedic hospitals.
Find out more about the Government’s overall response to the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry at Redress and care safety improvements on the Crown Response website.
How to make a claim
To make a claim relating to abuse, contact us with details about your experiences and the abuse you suffered while in care.
This may include:
- details about the allegations of abuse
- supporting information, such as medical records (if held)
- dates
- hospital details
- names of staff.
You do not need a lawyer to work with us. You can seek legal advice at any stage.
Top-up payment for survivors
Living survivors who have previously received a payment for historic claims of abuse can register for a top-up payment.
Eligible survivors with closed claims with the Ministry of Health or Crown Health Financing Agency will receive more to bring their payment in line with other redress agencies and then a top-up payment of 50% will be applied.
To register for a top-up payment
To find out more and register for a top-up payment, visit the Abuse in Care Top-Ups website.
If you can’t access a website easily, you can call 0800 TOP UPS (0800 867 877) between 8am and 5pm on weekdays, to register. If there is high demand, there may be wait times if you ring. Survivors living overseas can call +64 4 931 1678.
Survivors with current (open) claims will receive an increase
Current (open) claims with the Ministry of Health will be adjusted to bring them into line with other redress agencies and then a standardised top up of 50% will be applied. If you have a question about an open claim, email: [email protected].
Contact us
Contact the Historic Abuse Resolution Service at the Ministry of Health.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (04) 496 2000
Postal address:
Health Legal
Ministry of Health
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6145
How we investigate your claim
We will need your approval to request further information, (such as your medical files from Health New Zealand). We will provide you with an authorisation form for this.
We will assess your claim based on the information available (acknowledging that some records may no longer be available in some cases). If your claim is accepted, we will provide you with an offer for an apology and a wellbeing payment (if appropriate). If you accept the offer, we will issue a letter of apology and organise any payment.
Once records are received from Health New Zealand, the timeframe for processing a request is usually 6 to 8 weeks. We will contact you with the outcome of the review and any offer. In regard to any claim against the Crown for treatment by Area Health Boards prior to 1993, acceptance of any offer will be full and final.
We will maintain all information provided to us in confidence, and use it only to assess your claim.
