Two years on from the release of Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care’s final report, Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission is asking people across Aotearoa New Zealand to call for action on the recommendations in Whanaketia – Through pain and trauma, from darkness to light.
A messaging guide to talking about why acting on the recommendations is important is available on the Human Rights Commission’s website at
https://tikatangata.org.nz/our-work/action-on-abuse-in-care including in accessible formats.
A summary guide to talking about the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care and why its recommendations should be acted on
Content warning
Some of the information in this guide may upset people when they read it. If you are worried or upset after reading it you can talk about it with someone you trust like:
- your family/friends
- your support workers
- a counsellor.
If you are still worried and do not feel safe you can call the police:
- Phone or text: 111 if you need help straight away
- Phone: 105 if you need the police and you do not need help straight away.
What this guide is for
This guide helps people talk about the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCOI) into abuse in care, and why its recommendations should be put into action.
It is for anyone who wants to:
- understand what the Royal Commission found
- explain why action is needed
- talk about abuse in care in a clear, respectful way
- support change that keeps people safe now and in the future
You do not need to be an expert to use this guide.
What was the Royal Commission of Inquiry?
The Royal Commission of Inquiry looked into abuse and neglect of children, young people, and adults in state and faith-based care in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Over six years, the Commission:
- heard from thousands of survivors
- examined records and evidence
- looked at how care systems worked, and failed
- made recommendations to government about what must change
The Commission showed that abuse was widespread, long lasting, and often ignored or hidden.
Why talking about this matters
Many people know very little about abuse in care or the Royal Commission’s findings.
When people do hear about it, they can feel:
- overwhelmed
- uncomfortable
- unsure about what can be done
Clear, simple messages help people understand:
- this harm was real and happened in everyday places
- it was caused by systems, not just a few individuals
- change is possible, and necessary
Key messages that help
1. This is not a political issue
Talking about abuse in care works best when it is not framed as party politics.
This is about:
- responsibility
- care for people in our communities
- doing the right thing, no matter who is in government
Instead of saying: “The current government needs to act.”
Try saying: “No matter who is in government, action on the Royal Commission’s recommendations is important.”
2. Acting on the recommendations is responsible government
The Royal Commission did careful, serious work over many years.
Taking action on its recommendations shows:
- responsibility
- good decision-making
- respect for survivors
People often think being “responsible” means spending less money. But responsibility also means:
- fixing serious harm
- preventing it from happening again
- being open and accountable
Instead of saying: “If we don’t act now, it will cost more later.”
Try saying: “The Royal Commission worked for six years and listened to thousands of survivors. Acting on its recommendations is the responsible thing to do.”
3. The recommendations work together as a whole
There are many recommendations, which can sound overwhelming.
It helps to explain them as one package with three parts:
- Addressing the wrongs of the past—acknowledging harm and supporting survivors
- Making today’s care system safe—stopping abuse from happening now
- Empowering people in care and their communities—giving people voice, choice, and protection
Most people agree all three parts matter.
Instead of saying: “There are over 200 recommendations.”
Try saying: “The Royal Commission delivered a package of recommendations to address the past, fix the present, and protect the future.”
4. Abuse in care is serious—and it can be fixed
When people hear about long-term harm, they can feel hopeless.
It helps to:
- explain what happened in real, human terms
- avoid shocking or graphic detail
- always pair the problem with a solution
Naming familiar places helps people understand where the abuse happened:
- schools
- hospitals
- homes where people should have been safe
Instead of saying: “Abuse in care was widespread and systemic.”
Try saying: “Children and babies were left without affection, and people were abused in places meant to keep them safe. We can stop this by putting the Royal Commission’s recommendations into action.”
5. Focus on systems, not just individuals
People often explain harm by blaming “bad people.”
But the Royal Commission showed abuse happened because:
- warning signs were ignored
- complaints were dismissed
- systems protected institutions, not people
Using simple descriptions can help.
Instead of saying: “People in power failed.”
Try saying: “Abuse was swept under the carpet, even when many people knew it was happening.”
Instead of saying: “Abuse caused long-term harm.”
Try saying: “Abuse overloaded people with stress, making everyday life harder for them and their families.”
6. Use facts carefully and clearly
Facts matter, but too many numbers can confuse people.
Choose a few strong facts and explain what they mean.
For example: “The Royal Commission found that up to 200,000 people were abused in care. That’s about one in three people who were placed in care during that time.”
Facts work best when they support a clear story about:
- responsibility
- harm
- solutions
Helping people feel they can act
People are more likely to care when they see:
- others like them speaking up
- survivors being listened to
- clear steps for change
You can help by:
- sharing survivor voices respectfully
- naming community support
- reminding people that change has already begun
Action does not have to be big to matter.
In summary
When talking about the Royal Commission of Inquiry:
- keep language simple and respectful
- focus on responsibility and care
- explain the recommendations as a whole
- show that abuse was caused by systems
- remind people that change is possible
Acting on the Royal Commission’s recommendations is about looking after people, learning from the past, and building a safer future for everyone.
For more information on the Human Rights Commission’s work around Abuse in Care go to: https://tikatangata.org.nz/our-work/abuse-in-care (https://tinyurl.com/4w5jb7dp)
How to contact the Human Rights Commission
Information about contacting the Human Rights Commission is available in NZSL, Easy Read, Braille, Large Print and Audio on our website: https://tinyurl.com/4jtjaehz
Contact our Human Rights Information and Support line and leave a message for our case advisors. We offer a call-back service and will be in touch as soon as possible. We check voicemails regularly and prioritise urgent matters.
- Phone: 0800 496 877
- People with hearing or speech impairments can contact the Commission using the NZ Relay service: www.nzrelay.co.nz. We can access interpreters in over 180 languages.
- Email: infoline@hrc.co.nz
- Text: 021 0236 4253
- PO Box: PO Box 6751, Victoria Street West, Auckland 1142
