Talofa lava, Noa'ia ‘e mạuri, Tālofa lava, Mauri, Kia orāna, Mālō e lelei, Talofa, Ni sa bula vinaka, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Mālō nī, Halo olgeta, Halo olketa, Tēnā koutou kātoa and warm Pacific greetings to you all.
Today, 12 November 2025, Aotearoa New Zealand marks a National Day of Reflection. This day of reflection follows the national apology delivered on 12 November 2024 by the Prime Minister and leaders from seven other agencies, in response to the findings of the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry.
One year on, this day invites us to look not only back, but also within and ahead.
We remember the courage of survivors and the lives of those who are no longer with us. We also reflect on how their voices have changed us. The stories shared over the past year have opened eyes, hearts and minds. They remind us that reflection must lead to action, and that healing is a journey we must continue to walk together.
For Pacific peoples, this day carries the weight of painful history but also the light of resilience. Families and communities have continued to find strength in each other and in their cultures. Out of deep hurt has come a renewed determination to nurture connection, restore trust, and protect those in care today.
Healing is not linear, and justice is not a single moment. This day reminds us that reflection must continue - in our words, in our actions, in our policies, and in the way we care for one another.
As we gather in our communities, online, or in quiet moments of remembrance, I encourage us all to reflect not only on what was lost, but on what can be reclaimed.
Let us honour the memory of those who suffered by committing to a future where care truly means safety, dignity and respect.
I share this proverb as a reminder of the journey we are on:
Holo pe tu’u he ko e ngalu e fasi – Stand firm and the waves will break.
With often insurmountable barriers and obstacles in their way, the survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care stood firm for the cruelty against them to be recognised. We remember many who experienced abuse who have passed on. Those who remain have continued to fight for justice and will continue to be keen-eyed and alert to call out abuse.
- - Gerardine Clifford-Lidstone, Secretary for Pacific Peoples