Survivors of abuse in state care and their whānau are coming together in the Waikato this October for a week-long healing camp that is the first of its kind in Aotearoa.

From 6–12 October, more than 100 survivors and whānau will gather at Epworth Camp, Cambridge, for grassroots, survivor-led programme of healing, reconnection, and hope. The camp is being organised by the New Zealand Collective of Abused in State Care Charitable Trust (NZCAST).

For decades, survivors have been told to wait, wait for redress, wait for wellbeing, wait for justice. Government processes have failed them again and again. This camp is their response: a space created by survivors, for survivors.

Healing, in survivors’ own words

“The Crown gave us apologies, but no healing. So we built our own.” – Karl T (Chairman)

“This is the first time in my life I feel safe to bring my children and heal together.” – Anonymised Survivor

A holistic programme of support
The camp is supported by a wide range of providers and practitioners, including ACC and Work and Income navigators, counsellors, mirimiri and rongoā Māori healers, health professionals, musicians, and cultural leaders.

Survivors will have access to:

Wellbeing workshops – mirimiri, rongoā, art therapy, music therapy

Health and navigation clinics – ACC, WINZ, GP and nurse clinics, employment, finance

Cultural and community activities – flax weaving, kapa haka, storytelling

Whānau connection – children’s activities, sports, shared kai, and ziplining

A story New Zealand needs to see
This is not a government initiative. It is survivors themselves doing the work the state has failed to deliver. It is grassroots healing in action, raw, real, and collective.

Event details:
Epworth Retreat and Camp Cambridge
6–12 October 2025

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