Official apologises ‘sincerely’ to survivors Missing family may have new lives
AUCKLAND: The Public Service Commissioner apologised to survivors at the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care yesterday afternoon.
The inquiry wrapped up two weeks of hearings for 14 government agencies.
Public Service Commissioner Peter Hughes said when he was chief executive of the Ministry of Social Development, it let down survivors Keith Wiffin, Paul White and Earl White in particular — when they sought redress.
‘‘I apologised to each of them [the survivors] at the time for the failure of the state to protect them from abuse while in care, and also for the further harm the Ministry of Social Development caused them in managing their claims.
‘‘I repeat those apologies here today.
‘‘In addition, I sincerely and unreservedly apologise for the other failings identified subsequently by the Commission.’’
Ministry staff ‘‘lost sight of the human beings at the centre of the claims,’’ he said.
‘‘I deeply regret that.’’ Mr Hughes said he was committed to leading change across all public services.
‘‘Throughout my career I’ve seen how good people can lose their way in big systems, in organisations and in institutions.
‘‘I strongly believe that most people work in the public service because they care and they want to make a difference — that is why they are here.’’
In particular, Oranga Tamariki needed to listen harder to what children in care wanted, he said.
‘‘Leadership in that organisation needs to improve.
‘‘I have played a role in driving that performance improvement as Public Service Commissioner, but the system also needs to improve.’’
He said the work of Oranga Tamariki chief executive Chappie Te Kani was leading ‘‘to build relationships and partnerships with Maori, and to share decisionmaking with them’’.
‘‘The prospect that we can ever succeed in the system by exercising decision rights over Maori, whanau, hapu and iwi by force of law, is destined to fail.
‘‘And so the system changes that he [Te Kani] is leading are some of the most hopeful I’ve seen in my career,’’ he said.
Mr Hughes took full responsibility for public service failings admitted this week.
These included the state’s failure to stop abuse, to believe reports of abuse and failing to meet the basic needs of youth — especially Pasifika and tangata whenua, and those with mental health problems and disabilities.
Keith Wiffin told the inquiry he took some comfort in seeing government agencies forced to own up to their past.
Some explanations also gave him hope that things might change, he said.
But he was critical of the passing of a controversial new law this week that changed the oversight of Oranga Tamariki.
The defence of it by some senior bureaucrats was insulting, he said.
‘‘The OT Bill is seen by us as not representing progress, but in fact a consolidation and retention of power and control that agencies have always had.
‘‘The officials have won the day, and we have not been listened to.’’
Another survivor, Frances Tagaloa, told the hearing she heard some positive things, but they had not changed her view that an institution would always move to protect itself.
‘‘I heard excuses, explanations, defensive reasonings, justifications for mistakes and problems.
‘‘We need state institutions to see and understand the need for healthy accountability.’’
Another survivor, Jim Goodwin, who was at the hearing yesterday afternoon, told RNZ that Mr Hughes’ apology ‘‘seemed heartfelt’’.
‘‘He seemed to me to mean what he was saying.
‘‘And I say good on him, that takes guts and integrity.
‘‘There was quite a lot of bureaucratic speak throughout the [past] two weeks.
‘‘And if the [state] apology is like that, it won’t really mean much.
‘‘But if it’s personal and delivered, with the quiver in the voice, which he had, then that will be awesome. ’’ — RNZ
HAMILTON: Police suspect Tom Phillips and his three young children, who went bush eight months ago, may have started new lives somewhere else in the country.
They are widening the appeal for sightings in relation to Mr Phillips and his children Jayda, aged 9, Maverick, 7, and Ember, 6.
A warrant was issued for Mr Phillips in January after he failed to appear in court in relation to their disappearance last September, which sparked a threeweek search.
Despite land and air searches and discussions with community members who spend time in Marokopa’s extensive bush area, police had not found any sign of them, Waikato West area commander Inspector Will Loughrin said.
They are asking for sightings of a man and three schoolaged children moving to a new community or travelling on intercity trains, buses or ferries, reports of petrol, diesel, food or camping supplies disappearing, or three schoolaged children who don’t appear to be attending local schools.
‘‘I want to acknowledge both the children’s mother, and Tom’s wider family who continue to be living with extreme stress and anxiety,’’ Insp Loughrin said.
Mr Phillips was seen by family on January 10, 2022 but failed to reappear in the Te Kuiti District Court on 12 January on a charge of making a false statement, police said.
He and the children were officially reported as missing by family members on 18 January.
In late January, police were made aware his ute had been left parked on Mangatoa Road near the Mangatoa Track.
On 9 February, Mr Phillips returned to a family member’s home in the middle of the night to take supplies but did not appear to have the children.
Since that time there have been multiple reports of sightings, most in the Waikato region. All were been followed up without success, police said.
They may look different and could be using different names, Insp Loughrin said. — RNZ