METRONEWS
APPLY NOW
© New Zealand Broadcasting School 2026
APPLY NOW

by New Zealand Broadcasting School students

National Reflection Day: Honouring survivors amid criticism

Social issues

Hester Lukey
National Day of Reflection
National Day of Reflection handprint wall  Road Ⅱ Redemption Facebook

A year after the Crown’s apology, Aotearoa gathers for National Reflection Day, a time to remember survivors and those who never saw justice.

A year ago, on 12 November 2024, the Prime Minister stood in Parliament and apologised for decades of abuse and neglect in the state care system. At that moment, he pledged that the country would pause one year later for a National Day of Reflection. 

Ministers agreed the day would be led by survivors and local communities, supported by the Government as time to reflect on those who endured harm in state care and those who never lived to see justice. 

A $1 million National Day of Reflection Community Fund was announced on 28 July 2025 to fund community organised and survivor focused activities to mark the day. 

As of 3 November, 65 events across Aotearoa received funding, some open to the public, but also many private events for specific survivor groups. 

Event organiser Tayla Taylor from VOYCE Whakarongo Mai says creating safe spaces for survivors is vital. 

"The reason it’s important to have an event like this for survivors is to honour survivors, but also take a moment to acknowledge that a lot of harm is still happening in care."

In Christchurch, tamariki friendly events are happening today at Validation Park in Middleton and Te Ora Hou Ōtautahi in Papanui. 

Survivor Grayson Elliott is turning today’s events into a canvas for hope through art. 

"We have a space for collaging, in which we are hoping to get a few pieces made by survivors to show their experiences."

Additionally, the events have an exhibition space with testimonials from survivors, kai, hollistic healing, other crafts, and more.

National Day of Reflection crafts
Arts and crafts for the National Day of Reflection Road Ⅱ Redemption Facebook

Amid nationwide events honouring survivors, the Government is facing criticism by Labour Leader Chris Hipkins. 

Hipkins says there has been a disgraceful lack of progress since the apology a year ago, and successive Governments have let survivors down.   

It comes as new legislation passes its first reading, making it harder for state abuse survivors with a history of serious offending to access redress.    

Hipkins says pausing historic claims for months and forcing survivors to prove they’re a ‘good’ survivor is both cruel and immoral. 

Despite concerns over new legislation, organisations hosting these events have shared overwhelmingly positive feedback on social media, thanking the community for its support.