A Commitment to Move from Darkness to Light
Join our collective commitment today!
Te Pai Ora SSPA has developed a sector-wide commitment to support and champion our sector’s response to the findings and recommendations from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.
A Commitment to Move from Darkness to Light unites the sector under a shared vision: to support the healing of survivors and transform the care system by eliminating harm and nurturing the lives of those who need care.
The name of our Commitment was chosen by our advisory group and references the name survivors gave the Royal Commission’s final report: Whanaketia - Through pain and trauma, from darkness to light.
We are inviting all organisations involved in care to join our Commitment.
Abuse in Care advisory group
In July 2024, the Royal Commission released its final report on the abuse and neglect of children, young people, and adults in the care of the State and faith-based institutions in Aotearoa New Zealand between 1950 and 1999, entitled Whanaketia – Through pain and trauma, from darkness to light Whakairihia ki te tihi o Maungārongo.
As a sector, we have a collective role to play in shaping the response to the findings and ensuring that the lessons from the past inform our work moving forward. Te Pai Ora SSPA has established an Abuse in Care advisory group to guide our work in supporting the sector's response to Whanaketia.
National Day of Reflection
In acknowledgement of the National Day of Reflection on 12 November 2025, marking the one-year anniversary of the Government’s apology to survivors of abuse in care, Te Pai Ora SSPA released a statement. We joined calls from survivors to make this day an annual event.
Kai & Kōrero
In May 2025, we ran a Kai and Kōrero session focused on our sector and the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.
It provided an opportunity for our sector to share the work already underway in response to Whanaketia – the final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions. It also served as a chance to identify priorities for the years ahead, and to explore how Te Pai Ora SSPA can support the sector’s ongoing response. Check out a summary of the session below.