The New Zealand Collective of Abused in State Care Charitable Trust (NZCAST) continues to lead the way in cross-agency collaboration, working directly with public sector agencies to dismantle systemic barriers faced by survivors of state and faith-based care.

As the only national, survivor-led, non-government-funded organisation of its kind, NZCAST has been meeting with agencies across Aotearoa, including the Ministry of Social Development, the Crown Response Unit, the Ministry of Education, and others to push for practical, survivor-informed changes in how services are delivered and systems are designed.

“We’re not waiting for change to happen,” says NZCAST Chair Karl Tauri. “We’re out there every day building relationships, having the hard conversations, and creating spaces where survivors are heard and respected. We’re working constructively with ministers and agencies, because real change only comes through partnership.”

Through nationwide hubs, wānanga, and direct engagement, NZCAST is advocating for:

• The inclusion of survivor voices and leadership in public service planning and policy
• Simplified and trauma-informed access to support such as the Disability Allowance
• Culturally grounded, safe spaces for survivors to engage with services
• Greater interagency coordination to reduce traumatisation and improve long-term outcomes

Many agencies have stepped forward to walk alongside survivors. ACC, Work and Income (WINZ), and the Office of the Ombudsman have consistently shown up to wānanga, bridging the gap between survivors and services. Their presence allows survivors to ask questions, build trust, and access information that is often hidden behind intimidating or inaccessible systems.

Claims teams from the Ministry of Education and Oranga Tamariki have also started to engage in more meaningful ways, a welcome shift from earlier silence.

However, NZCAST is deeply disappointed in the continued absence and inaction of some of the largest perpetrators of harm.

“The Ministry of Social Development which was responsible for a significant proportion of the abuse in care continues to sit in silence where it matters most,” says Karl. “While frontline services like Work and Income (WINZ) have shown real foresight and innovation, attending our wānanga and supporting survivors to access information and help, the MSD Historic Claims team continues to disengage. They have refused to attend any of our events or support survivors with even the most basic travel costs. Since the national apology, their silence has spoken louder than words. Survivors deserve better than avoidance they deserve a response.”

NZCAST’s position is clear: apologies alone are not enough. Survivors deserve action. They deserve to be met face to face, to be heard, and to be supported.

The upcoming Palmerston North and Christchurch Wānanga will hold information days that continue this kaupapa, providing a space for survivors and agencies to connect kanohi ki te kanohi in an environment grounded in cultural safety, lived experience, and collective healing.

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