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.
This is because currently the State redress system only covers redress for abuse in State-run mental health facilities up to 30 June 1993.
Responsibility for claims related to abuse in care after 1993 sat with many different organisations. These responsibilities were transferred to Health New Zealand after it was created as a Crown entity on 1 July 2022.
Find out more about historic abuse claims.
Who the change applies to
The change applies to survivors of abuse in:
- state-run psychiatric and mental health facilities, including general mental health wards
- state-run psychopaedic (intellectual disability) care settings, including Kimberley Hospital / Centre (closed in 2006).
It does not cover:
- general hospital wards
- aged care
- off-site or outpatient care (for example, care delivered at home)
- care and treatment failures (as distinct from abuse).
Contact us with claims or questions
Until changes are implemented, survivors with questions or potential claims should contact:
Email: [email protected]
Freephone: 0800 400 569
Other support services
Survivors and whānau can contact the Survivor Experiences Service to organise a time and place to share their experiences or for records support.
Freephone: 0800 456 090
Text: 8328
Email: [email protected]
