A public apology to survivors of abuse in Presbyterian Church care
View video and download apology documents here.
Download Survivors' Guide (JPG 599KB)
In honour of people abused in Presbyterian Church care and as a commitment to change, a public apology will be delivered by Moderator, Right Rev Rose Luxford.
Survivors of abuse, their whānau and their supporters are warmly invited to attend the in-person events or to watch the public apology online when it is uploaded.
The apology has been written in collaboration with survivors from the Church’s Survivor Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE). They have also helped developed the in-person events.
Following the public apology being delivered, Convenor of the Council of Assembly, Katerina Solomona, will outline the Church’s commitment to its new survivor-designed Puretumu Torowhānui (holistic) redress process.
There are multiple opportunities to see and hear the apology:
- In-person event in Ōtepoti Dunedin – Saturday 27 Sept
- In-person event in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland – Saturday 4 Oct
- Online video – uploaded to this webpage following each in-person event
- Te Reo Māori translation – uploaded to this webpage following the first event
- NZ Sign Language – as part of the online video
In-person public apology events
Ōtepoti Dunedin
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Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
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- Mihi Whakatau by mana whenua.
- Public apology and detailed information about the Church’s new survivor-designed Puretumu Torowhānui (holistic redress) process.
- Response by a survivor, as the final words of the formal proceedings.
- On-the-spot confidential sign up for survivors wanting to commence their holistic redress journey.
- Survivor artwork on display, provided by national survivor arts collective Te Roopū Toiora.
- A warm cuppa and kai
Wellbeing support services will also be in attendance to support survivors.
Media will be invited to attend and report on the public apology, however protocols will be in place to protect attendees wishing to remain anonymous.
Key contact information
If you would like to contact us call us on 0800 244 357 or email publicapology@presbyterian.org.nz.
You can go to this webpage to start a redress claim with the Church, or you can revisit this webpage from Saturday 27 September to access the Church’s new holistic redress process.
Background about the apology
We acknowledge this apology may be difficult and upsetting. You may have questions you want answered before deciding whether to attend an event or watch the videos, or simply to understand what is happening.
To support you, we have set out some common questions below, along with answers we hope will bring clarity and reassurance. If you have other questions, please know you are welcome to reach out to us directly.
Why is this apology happening now?
The Presbyterian Church made a commitment in late 2024 that a public apology would take place. This commitment still stands, and the apology can be done now that a holistic redress system can be announced.
This action follows the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry’s findings showing the scale of harm suffered in both faith-based and State care. Survivors have waited too long to hear an apology from the Presbyterian Church. It is time for the Church to say sorry to survivors without hesitation or excuse.
Frequently Asked Questions – Presbyterian Church Apology
Why only 10 days’ notice?
We know this is very short notice for the Dunedin meeting and recognise the challenges this creates for those who want to attend. That’s why we will make accessible versions, including videos, available online. We shared details as soon as all arrangements were confirmed and we too wish we could have provided more notice. We needed to make sure the right survivor supports were in place, including wellbeing staff, mana whenua partnership, and survivor guidance for redress processes. Although we wish we could have given more time, moving ahead now allows us to keep our promise to make the apology this year and not postpone again. The advisory group told us it is important that the Church not delay this apology again.
Is there financial support to help people attend?
We recognise it may be costly for people to attend the events. Unfortunately, we cannot offer blanket travel allowances. This is why we will have accessible formats of the apology, such as video, available to everyone. Where possible, we are working with individuals to support travel needs on a case-by-case basis.
Who is the apology for?
The apology will be addressed to survivors of abuse in Presbyterian Church care. The apology is a matter of significant public interest, and we encourage all people to watch and we welcome media to report on it.
Will media be present?
Survivors’ privacy and safety come first. Media are invited to attend, so there is independent reporting of the apology, however they will need to follow protocols to ensure the privacy and safety of attendees.
Media will not be allowed to film people without permission. This will be explained to media and to attendees at the start of the events. A recording of the apology itself will be made available online afterwards, so you can view it safely in your own time if you choose.