The government will extend access to redress for survivors of abuse in state-run mental health inpatient facilities, covering claims from 1 July 1993 through to 30 June 2022 under amendments to the Redress System for Abuse in Care Bill.
Lead Coordination Minister Erica Stanford said the change addresses a long-standing gap that left survivors abused in mental health settings after 1993 without a formal pathway for acknowledgement, apology, or compensation, as responsibility for such claims had shifted between multiple agencies before being transferred to Health New Zealand when it became a Crown entity in 2022.
Cabinet agreed to amend the bill after concerns were raised about survivors encountering bureaucratic barriers when seeking accountability, including cases where agencies declined responsibility or investigation. Under the new arrangement, the state redress scheme will cover historic claims up to 30 June 2022, while Health New Zealand will remain responsible for claims arising from 1 July 2022 onward.
The bill, which follows recommendations from Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, was reported back from select committee on 13 March and is expected to progress through its remaining parliamentary stages in the coming months.
