Māori survivors honored in historic state apology

Atereano Mateariki Bernie O'Donnell | Māori survivors honored in historic state apology

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A survivor and advocate of abuse in State care says tomorrow’s apology is a day for survivors to be acknowledged, not only by the Crown but also by all.

Tomorrow, a public apology following the Royal Commission’s Inquiry into the Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care will be delivered at the Parliament buildings in Wellington.

It will also be broadcast at various event centres across Aotearoa.

Bernie O’Donnell, General Manager of Te Tiriti Partnerships at the New Plymouth District Council, says reconnecting to te ao Māori supports Māori survivors on their journey to heal and end the intergenerational transmission of trauma.

He says his mokopuna are why he has been so dedicated to this inquiry and hopes to make them proud.

“When I look at my mokopuna these days, and I see them and they hear stories about what survivors are, and they go, was that you Koro? And I had to tell them, yes it was, but I’m better than that now. And just to let them know that they can be proud of their grandfather and they can be proud of themselves,” says O’Donnell.

The apology will be held at 11:30 am tomorrow

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