Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
We are so very sorry
Published on 26 July 2024
Presbyterian Support New Zealand (PSNZ) acknowledges and respects the findings and recommendations of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into historical abuse in state care and faith-based organisations from 1950-1999.
The Inquiry has confirmed disgraceful instances of neglect and abuse, and we are profoundly sorry for the harm inflicted upon vulnerable children and young people in our care. As an organisation entrusted with the care of children and young persons on behalf of the state during this period, we recognise and condemn the abuse and mistreatment that occurred.
We wish to acknowledge and tautoko the incredible courage and bravery of survivors who have testified and had to revisit these terrible traumas. We recognise that this should never have happened, and we are fully committed to embracing the recommendations made by the Inquiry to ensure the safe and appropriate care of all vulnerable people accessing our services now and in the future.
Andrew Johnston, Chair of Presbyterian Support New Zealand, also reaffirms our steadfast commitment to supporting survivors. “PSNZ has a zero-tolerance policy for any form of abuse, and we are dedicated to advocating for the protection of all vulnerable people. We extend our deepest apologies to those who suffered harm while in our care and acknowledge the impact this has also had on survivor’s whānau and support networks. We will continue to listen, learn, and support survivors. We promise to do our utmost to help them towards a journey of healing.”
Presbyterian Support is supportive of the establishment of the independent Puretumu Torowhānui redress scheme, to help support survivors and their whānau affected by abuse in State and faith-based care and help prevent abuse in care.
In the interim, if you or a member of your whānau has been harmed while in the care of Presbyterian Support services please contact the National Executive Officer either via email: or phone: 027 282 6004.
Published on 21 February 2021
There is currently taking place a Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions.
Presbyterian Support New Zealand welcomes this Inquiry and the recommendations to come from the Royal Commission .
As we provide care for children and young people, we are involved in this Inquiry. Over the period of the Royal Commission’s inquiry (1950-1999), we were operating orphanages and foster care services.
We were devastated to discover that during this period children and young people were mistreated or abused. It is heartbreaking that some of these cases occurred under our care.
To the victims and their families, we are so very sorry.
The abuse and mistreatment of children, young people and vulnerable adults was never ok, not at any moment throughout all time, and this is certainly not who we are today. As these historical abuses have come to light, we have worked with the victims to apologise and support them as best we could. We are 100% committed to continuing to work with the Royal Commission and the victims of abuse to find the best ways of supporting them.
If you or a member of your family has been harmed while in the care of Presbyterian Support services, there are a number of ways your complaint can be heard:
- If you have concerns or experiences that you want to share directly with Presbyterian Support or wish to seek redress, please contact the National Executive Officer either via email: or phone: 027 282 6004
- If you wish to engage with the Royal Commission (either at the same time or separately to bringing your concerns to us directly) there is information on the Royal Commission’s website at www.abuseincare.org.nz.
- If you have signed a settlement in the past relating to an abuse claim with Presbyterian Support, we waive any confidentiality clause or obligation on you that might cause you to hesitate from talking to the Royal Commission.