Prime Minister Christopher Luxon of New Zealand issued a formal and unreserved apology in Parliament on Tuesday for the extensive abuse, torture, and neglect suffered by hundreds of thousands of children and vulnerable adults in care. Luxon described the atrocities as horrific, heartbreaking, and unequivocally wrong, emphasizing that such acts should never have occurred.
An estimated 200,000 individuals in state, foster, and faith-based care endured unimaginable abuse over a span of seven decades, according to a scathing report released in July. The report marked the conclusion of the largest inquiry ever conducted in New Zealand, revealing a national disgrace that affected the lives of many.
