A year to the day since the government’s formal apology for abuse in state and faith-based care, care-experienced rangatiahi and their advocates say that while the words of remorse were important, the real measure of progress lies in action, and they are still waiting to see it.

The National Day of Reflection is a moment for Aotearoa to honour survivors, remember those who have passed, and reflect on the ongoing impact of abuse in care.

But VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai CEO Tracie Shipton says it is also a time to look critically at what has and hasn’t changed.

“This day is for survivors, to honour their strength, acknowledge their pain, and remember those who never lived to hear an apology.”

“But it’s also a reminder to the government that words alone don’t heal. One year on, many promises remain unfulfilled.”

Since the Royal Commission of Inquiry released its findings, 138 recommendations for change were put forward, but little tangible progress has been made to implement them.

Shipton says survivors feel the absence of clear timelines and accountability, and are particularly concerned about a proposed redress law change which restricts or excludes some prisoners from receiving redress despite many having lived experience of care.

“To deny redress to some survivors because they’ve spent time behind bars is unjust and unfair. Regardless of where they came from and where they’ve been they have fallen victim to a system that failed them, a system that in some cases was what contributed to leading them down the wrong path in the first place.”

Care-experienced advocate Ihorangi Reweti Peters, who attended the apology at Parliament last year, says that sadly the system continues to harm the very people it was meant to protect.

“Abuse in care isn’t historical, it’s happening right now. We still have rangatahi being hurt in residences, living in unsafe homes, and leaving care without stability or support.” “In the last year alone, 500 tamariki were harmed while in state care.”

Just last month VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai’s inaugural biennial state of care report – Kei te rongo koe? Are you listening? found that the state has yet to honour the six promises made to children in care.

The 80 page document gathered information from more than 50 existing submissions and 140 official reports that already feature the voices of young people. Reweti Peters says the promise of safety and stability scored among the lowest nationwide, with young people saying they still do not feel safe, stable, or heard.

“Safety and stability should be the bare minimum. If we’re still failing to deliver that, then we haven’t learned from the past.”

To mark the National Day of Reflection, VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai is hosting a care experienced pop-up exhibition created by rangatahi and survivors of abuse in state care.

The exhibition will present personal artefacts and artworks from young people that tell stories of loss, resilience, and hope. Items on display range from treasured toys and letters to photos, carvings, and poetry, each reflecting pivotal moments in the lives of their owners.

VOYCE Te Waipounamu Regional Youth Council member Grayson Elliott says the day and the event will help Aotearoa to create a better care system.

“We can do better by actually listening and by being present and making the effort to make relationships with young people in care. It's important to get to know someone first because you never know what someone is going through. You only know a little bit about our world.”

Onsite support will be provided for survivors, as well as a chance to connect in a safe space.

Ultimately Tracie Shipton says the day is about remembering the past, but also recommitting to the future.

“We owe it to survivors, and to every child still in care, to ensure no young person is ever harmed in the system designed to protect them. Reflection must lead to reform.”

The pop-up exhibition will take place between 4 pm – 7 pm on November 12th at Te Ora Hou Ōtautahi - 77 Windermere Road, Papanui.

ABOUT VOYCE:

We are VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai, which stands for Voices of the Young and Care Experienced – Listen to me. Established in 2017, we are an independent charity organisation that helps to advocate for the approximately 6000 children with care experience (children in foster or whanau care) in New Zealand.

We exist to amplify the voices of these children and ensure that they are heard – so as to positively influence their individual care and to collectively affect change in the wider care system. VOYCE was co-designed by children with care experience for children with care experience.

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