Dunedin, 27 September 2025 – The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand today issued a public and unreserved apology to survivors of abuse in its care and announced a new holistic redress system designed by survivors. 

The apology, delivered by Presbyterian Church Moderator Right Rev Rose Luxford at Otago Museum in Dunedin, followed the findings of the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry released in August 2024. 

“On behalf of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand – both past and present – I extend our sincere and unreserved apology to those that our Church and the people in it have harmed, abused, neglected and caused pain,” Right Rev Luxford said. 

“It was our responsibility to care for you. We failed. The abuse occurred in places and with people where safety should have been assured. Such a breach of trust is unjustifiable. We express profound remorse at this heartbreaking abuse. We are deeply and sincerely sorry,” said Right Rev Luxford. 

The Church’s new survivor advisory group helped develop the apology, to ensure it was meaningful and survivor centric. 

“Many of you disclosed abuse to the Church, and it was met with denial and silencing. Survivors, today, I want you to know, we have heard you. Your bravery is inspiring,” said Right Rev Luxford. 

The apology acknowledged decades of physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, cultural, and spiritual abuse across Presbyterian churches. Church leaders admitted systemic failures that left children and vulnerable people unprotected and breached commitments under Te Tiriti o Waitangi. 

“We recognise the cruelty that has also led to intergenerational trauma and its lasting effects on you, your whānau, and your wider communities. We apologise sincerely for this immense burden,” Right Rev Luxford said. 

The apology will also be delivered on 4th October at an event in South Auckland. 

The apology will be videoed at both Dunedin and Auckland events and uploaded to the Church’s website on the same day (27 Sept and 4 Oct respectively), with te reo Māori and NZ Sign Language translations. 

The Church acknowledged that its previous redress attempts were inadequate and, in many cases, retraumatising for survivors. Responses were inconsistent and often delayed, while legal strategies placed the protection of the Church ahead of the needs of survivors. 

The Church has commissioned an independent auditor, who will have full access to church policies, frameworks and records to analyse where changes must be made. The auditor has already started this process. Reporting to the survivor advisory group will be part of the auditor’s role.

“Because words are hollow without action, we must strengthen safeguards to prevent future harm. We must provide survivor-centred redress. We are committed to change. We must not repeat the failings of the past. Our focus is on accountability, transparency, and rebuilding trust,” Right Rev Luxford said. 

Holistic redress system launched

At the event, the Church also announced a new holistic redress system that replaces its previous approach. The event had a confidential drop-in area for Presbyterian Church survivors to register on the day to start the redress process. They can also register through the Church website and 0800 number. 

Convenor of the Council of Assembly, Katerina Solomona, said survivors had challenged the Church with a revealing question: “Who is this redress for?” 

“The answer must be clear. It is for survivors, not for the Church to feel satisfied it has ticked a box,” Ms Solomona said. “It will replace the Church’s current redress system, and Presbyterian Church survivors can access it from today.” 

Holistic redress means listening to survivors about what they need to help heal the harm caused by the Church. It goes beyond financial payments to include personal apologies, ongoing wellbeing support, cultural healing and community acknowledgment. 

“Developed by the Church’s survivor advisory group, the new holistic redress system will implement the Royal Commission’s vision of Puretumu Torowhānui - a comprehensive approach to healing that responds to what each survivor says they need to help repair the harm caused by the Church.” 

The new holistic redress system has three key steps:

• Hauora Support Coordinators: Wellbeing coordinators who serve as the first point of contact for survivors.
• Independent Navigators: Selected by the survivor advisory group, they are a panel of trained and independent guides. Survivors can choose their navigator to help them through the process and ensure they never have to retell their story multiple times. Navigators will provide survivors with holistic redress options for them to choose from, including but not limited to:
  • Personal apologies, both written and/or in-person.
  • Financial payments as compensation to acknowledge the harm and impacts.
  • Wellbeing or hauora support.
  • Cultural support, such as services to reconnect survivors with their whakapapa, te reo Māori classes, and rongoā Māori healing.
  • Access to education, relationship building or financial advisory services, for example.
  • A combination of all options. 

 Rangahau (Investigators): A panel of trained investigators not associated with the church, who will investigate reports of abuse. They will have access to Church records and the ability to interview Church personnel.

The system is designed to be trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and survivor-centred.

The Church has also committed to a series of safeguards:

• Immediate action: Referring matters to Police where criminal behaviour is identified.
• Independent oversight: An independent auditor will regularly review policies and safety measures, reporting directly to the survivor advisory group.
• Protective culture: Supporting those who raise concerns rather than silencing them.
• Seamless support: Breaking down barriers between the Presbyterian Church and separate Presbyterian agencies, for accountability under the Presbyterian name.
• Transparency: Maintaining proper records and allowing survivors full access to their records.

“Our words must be matched by action. Change will take time, but survivors have already waited too long. Survivors will be the judges of whether this new redress process delivers healing, justice, and accountability,” Ms Solomona said. 

The Church has pledged never to return to past practices of denial, silence, or institutional self-protection. Survivors will continue to shape all future commitments and processes.

“My message is clear, to all people who call this church home, we must stop, reflect and we must not weaponise religion any longer. We must change. We must do better than this,” Ms Solomona said. 

In her final words, Right Rev Luxford acknowledged both the pain and the courage of survivors. 

“I am so sorry for what happened to you. Thank you for speaking up, sadly time and time again. Your bravery is inspiring. Today, the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand walks alongside you survivors, listens to your voices, and ensures that our actions will reflect the light of justice and care.”

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