About survivor engagement process

On 23 October 2025, IHC made a public apology in response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historic Abuse in State Care (1950 – 1999) findings.

IHC welcomes contact from survivors and family members, and we want to support people who wish to talk about their experiences, ask questions or request information.  

Contact IHC

Email: historic.inquiries@ihc.org.nz

A member of our engagement team will reply promptly.

People in IHC’s residential services can speak with their service manager or area manager if they choose.

Contact the Survivor Experiences Service

People can also choose to contact the Government’s Survivor Experiences Service if they choose, by Phone: 0800 456 090, or email contact@survivorexperiences.govt.nz

The Survivor Experiences Service is survivor-led and aims to provide a safe, supportive, confidential place where survivors of abuse in care, and their whānau, can share their experiences. All services are free. There is more information about the service on its website at: www.survivorexperiences.govt.nz/disabled-survivors

Who you can talk to

IHC’s Engagement Team includes experienced staff and advisors who will respond to enquiries with care and respect. They include specialists in:

• Welfare and psychology
• Quality and safeguarding
• Legal and privacy matters
• Māori cultural support (Te Ao Māori and tikanga guidance).

Apology and support for people in IHC’s residential services since the Inquiry period.

The apology includes information about a payment to people currently supported in residential disability services who were in those services during the Inquiry period 1950 to 1999.

A payment of $2500, is for that group because we know it is harder for them to share any experiences of abuse they may have from the past.

IDEA Services area managers will contact family and whānau and recipients of the apology and payment offer during the four weeks following IHC’s apology.

• They will share the apology and information in full and in Easy Read versions.
• They will offer further support if it is needed and explain options available to people.

If you contact IHC about the apology or to share an experience, IHC will:

• Listen respectfully and give people choice and control about how they can engage.
• Acknowledge enquiries within five working days.
• Keep information private and explain clearly how it will be used.
• Check whether your experience relates to the Inquiry period (1950–1999). If it relates to a later period, it will be handled under our current complaints or privacy processes.
• Offer options for support, such as counselling, advocacy, or referral to the Government’s Survivor Experiences Service.

Support options

• IHC may offer access to counselling for survivors.
• People may also choose to speak with a trusted counsellor or advocate.

Information and records

People can request to see their personal information held by IHC or IDEA Services under the Privacy Act 2020. However, IHC may no longer hold some older records due to legal rules about keeping health information for only ten years after support ends. We will always explain this clearly if it applies to your situation.

For other people requesting personal information relating to someone else (eg a family member), we may need to check that appropriate consent is in place first before we can share any personal information we hold about another person.

Experiences of abuse

IHC’s Engagement Team will listen to any survivors who wish to share their experiences, and they may request further details or information to assist us in understanding how best to respond. IHC will treat all information shared as private and with respect.

IHC will consider if other organisations or parties need to be contacted and seek permission to do so if required.

If appropriate, any cultural considerations and preferences will be discussed.  

Counselling may be offered if the person indicates it is needed or shows signs it may be helpful.  

Future redress and claims

IHC is continuing to engage with the Government as it considers redress options for non-government organisations (further updates and plans are expected in 2026 or 2027). Survivors who contact IHC will be kept informed about these developments.  

Key principles guiding all engagement in response to the Inquiry:

• Respect and dignity
• Confidentiality and safety
• Choice and control at every step
• Trauma-informed practice
• Accessibility (plain language, Easy Read, or audio options)
• Accountability and learning – ensuring IHC continues to improve

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