The politics of saying sorry: Making good on intentions

Abstract or Summary

The NZ Human Rights Commission has addressed the New Zealand prime minister, asking for an independent inquiry into abuse of people held in state care – for a public apology and for redress. The Confidential Listening and Assistance Service was mandated in 2008 to listen to the stories of New Zealanders who were abused, neglected or had concerns about the way they were treated in state care before 1992. A recommendation in their 2015 final report was that the government provide “a public statement to the people of New Zealand about what happened to those who suffered abuse and neglect in state care and acknowledge the wrongs of the past.” This call for an inquiry and public apology was an echo of similar requests made over the years by many iwi, political and social service leaders. It continues to be made and has never happened. This blogpost is a description of the issue and calls for action.