The Chief Children’s Commissioner, Dr. Claire Achmad, says the large number of people who descended upon Parliament is a clear indication of the importance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi to New Zealanders.
She says in her role as Chief Children’s Commissioner, upholding the mana of Te Tiriti is a vital part of fostering cultural pride and well-being for whānau, tamariki, and mokopuna.
This is why it is crucial for the government’s apology to survivors of abuse in state care to be followed by comprehensive redress.
“Yes, financial compensation but also combined with other things. Like access to health, trauma support and counselling. And these things need to be wholistic. And they really need to take into consideration the particular circumstances of each and every one of those survivors,” says Achmad.
Achmad says Treaty principles and partnership expectations have been instrumental in addressing inequities for Māori, which underscores the significance of yesterday’s mass protest at Parliament.
