New Zealand prime minister apologises to survivors of abuse in state and church care

The prime minister was apologising on behalf of previous governments too, he said

New Zealand’s prime minister Christopher Luxon makes a ‘formal and unreserved’ apology in Parliament for the widespread abuse, torture and neglect of hundreds of thousands of children and vulnerable adults in care (Robert Kitchin/Stuff via AP)

New Zealand’s prime minister Christopher Luxon has made a “formal and unreserved” apology in parliament for the widespread abuse, torture and neglect of hundreds of thousands of children and vulnerable adults in care.

“It was horrific. It was heartbreaking. It was wrong. And it should never have happened,” Mr Luxon said, as he spoke to legislators and a public gallery packed with survivors of the abuse.