Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care

The inquiry

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care began on 1 February 2018 and the final report was tabled in parliament on 24 July 2024. The Inquiry investigated and reported on: 

• why people were taken into care,
• what abuse and neglect happened in care,
• the impacts of the abuse and neglect,
• what factors caused the abuse and neglect in care to occur,
• the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference directed the Inquiry to be underpinned by te Tiriti o Waitangi and its principles, and to focus on the experiences of Māori, Pacific People, Deaf people, disabled people and people who experience mental distress.

The Royal Commission has covered certain health and disability settings, including psychiatric hospitals or facilities (including all places within these facilities), but specifically excluded general hospital admissions, including private hospitals.

The Royal Commission recommended the Government publishes a response to the findings within two months, and the recommendations within four months of presenting its final report to Parliament.

Of the 139 recommendations in the Report, around 79 have been identified as broadly relevant to the health space, including mental health. Many of the recommendations will require cross-agency collaboration and the Ministry of Health will be part of a wider system response.

The Ministry of Health acknowledges the possibility of harm as a result of medical care provided in the past. The Ministry also acknowledges that standards and guidance have changed over time. Treatment and care provided in the past is best assessed by the standards and guidance applied at the time, which often takes considerable expertise as was demonstrated by the Royal Commission of Inquiry.

The Ministry of Health has supported the Inquiry in relation to the treatment of people in health and disability care settings, including those in psychopaedic and psychiatric facilities.

Individuals being provided with redress for claims of mistreatment at Lake Alice have all received a personal apology from the Prime Minister and Minister of Health (of the day) as part of that redress in line with the process previously agreed with government.  Claims are still being accepted. 

Apology from the Director-General of Health

The Royal Commission recommended a public apology from the Government and Chief Executives, including the Director-General of Health, on behalf of the health sector. The public apology took place on 12 November 2024.

• Apology transcript (docx, 250 KB)
• Apology transcript (pdf,  119 KB)
• Apology transcript - Te reo translation (docx, 254 KB) 
• Apology transcript - Te reo translation (pdf, 110 KB)

Further information about historic abuse

The Ministry also operates its Historic Abuse Resolution Service for people who were abused in state-run psychopaedic and psychiatric facilities prior to 1 July 1993.

More information is available on Historic abuse claims or talk with our Chief Legal Advisor. 

For people wanting to access wellbeing support prior to and after the apology event, a helpline, Safe to Talk is available 24/7:

• Phone: 0800 044 334
• Free txt: 4334
• Email: [email protected]