Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Enquiry
In 2018, the New Zealand Government launched the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry (ACRCI), which concluded with the release of the Commission’s final report in July 2024: Whanaketia – Through pain and trauma, from darkness to light.
While the BUNZ and its Associated Churches were not formally included in the ACRCI’s process, there were a number of individuals who came forward directly to the Commission who shared their experiences of abuse and harm. In total, there were 16 disclosures to the Commission related either to one of our churches or a ministry associated with one of our churches.
The disclosures made to the Commission make it clear that we, as BUNZ Associated Churches, also need to give careful consideration to the ACRCI’s findings and recommendations, alongside other churches in New Zealand.
BUNZ acknowledged the final report of the ACRCI and the seriousness of its findings at the time it was publicly released. Since then, BUNZ has brought together an ACRCI Response Group, tasked with reviewing all reports from the ACRCI and making recommendations on changes that are required across churches that are part of the BUNZ.
It has been our desire to give careful consideration to the findings of the ACRCI, so that our response to it is appropriate, given the gravity of the abhorrent harm that has been perpetrated in Christian churches and their ministries, including in Baptist settings. People who are part of our faith communities and associated ministries should be safe and cared for.
We acknowledge that the work of hearing from people who experienced abuse and harm is still, in fact, ongoing. However, there is also no doubt that there is a need to recognise the reality of what we know so far.
Therefore, we as the leadership of the BUNZ, would like to offer this formal apology on behalf of its Associated Churches and any aligned ministries.
Formal Apology
First and foremost, we would like to offer our sincere apology to those who experienced abuse while they were in the care of one of our BUNZ Associated Churches or a ministry aligned with a BUNZ Associated Church. These BUNZ Associated Churches or ministries, have gravely failed in their duty of care to people. People were harmed physically, emotionally, sexually, and spiritually. Children, young people, and adults were not protected. Action was not taken to address abuse that occurred. This should never have happened. We are profoundly sorry for what has occurred within these BUNZ Associated Churches or ministries.
In particular, we want to especially acknowledge those who were in the care of the Manurewa Children’s Home. Taking responsibility for children and young people in particularly vulnerable circumstances should have been met with the very best care, but we know that there were a number of people harmed in this home. You were failed, often many times over, and across an extended period of time. We apologise particularly to you.
We know that the impact of abuse has been severe across people’s lives. Their health, livelihood, relationships, and faith have been affected. The damage has been profound, irreparable for some people, and its impacts have continued throughout their lives. We are aware that abuse is not just something people experienced historically, but a reality that impacts their lives ongoingly. For this continued harm, we are sorry.
We acknowledge, too, the wider impacts of the abuse of people who were in the care of one of our BUNZ Associated Churches or ministries. In many cases, there has been a significant impact on people’s spouses, children, friends and community. We wish to express our sincere remorse for the widespread impact on so many people.
We recognise that behaviours towards minority groups, including tangata whenua Māori, tangata Pasifika, women, people with disabilities, and people who identify as LGBTQ+ have caused particular harm. To these people, we acknowledge that you have been especially unfairly targeted. We believe that all people are made by God and loved by God, and you have at times been made to feel less than loved, and even despised. For this, we are sorry. We are committed to ensuring our ongoing response addresses any abuse or behaviours that cause particular people to be subjected to harm.
We also recognise that there are many other areas where churches have been part of people’s experiences of abuse and harm. We know that people have been failed when they came to their church for support regarding abuse and harm they have experienced elsewhere, such as within their relationship or family, and their concerns were not responded to appropriately. Our churches should always have held the view that any and all abuse is unacceptable, and their response should have upheld your safety and dignity.
The abuse of any person is unacceptable, but for people to have been abused when they were at their most vulnerable and when they were being connected with a Christian community or ministry is a particular failure. Jesus taught us that people in need deserve our utmost service and care. Our Associated Churches and aligned ministries failed to embody the love, safety, and justice that are at the heart of the Gospel we profess to follow.
We recognise, too, that these abuses were not only acts of profound personal betrayal but also systemic failures in oversight, accountability, and compassion. For this, we are truly sorry.
We, as a union of churches, must do better, and we are committed to doing better. This apology does not mark the end of our response – instead, it acknowledges the journey we are beginning in earnest. We commit to learning from the past, listening to people who have experienced abuse, and undertaking meaningful reforms to ensure our churches are places where abuse is not accepted.
We honour the courage of those people who have come forward and shared their stories. Your voices are helping to bring about truth, justice, and lasting change.
We are committed to walking the long road of restoration with integrity, humility, and action.
We, as the leadership of the BUNZ, acknowledge that all leaders of our Associated Churches and our ministries take responsibility for the harm that has been perpetrated. We acknowledge that the leaders in these roles in our Associated Churches and our ministries, and those who assume these roles in the future, will be held accountable for the safety of people in churches that are part of the BUNZ.
We look forward in hope to creating communities where all people are safe, and where trust in our churches and ministries can be restored through the actions we take.
Signed on behalf of the Baptist Union of New Zealand, its Associated Churches and aligned ministries,
Rod Robson,
Chairperson, Baptist National Council.
Click here to download a PDF of the English version of the apology.
Te Whakapāha Ōkawa nā te Kotahitanga o ngā Hāhi Iriiri o Aotearoa (BUNZ) mō te taha ki ōna Whare Karakia Whai Pānga me ngā minitatanga hāngai katoa Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Enquiry
He Whakamārama
I te tau 2018, i whakaterea e te Kāwanatanga o Aotearoa Te Kōmihana Uiui a te Karauna mō te Tūkino i raro i te Atawhai (ACRCI), he mea tutuki ai ki te whakaputanga o te pūrongo whakamutunga o te Kōmihana i te marama o Hōngongoi 2024.
Ahakoa kāore te Hāhi me ōna Whare Karakia i whai wāhi ōkawa atu ki te tukanga o ACRCI, arā ētahi tāngata i puta takitahi mai ki te Kōmihana ki te kōrero mō ā rātou wheako e pā ana ki te tūkino me te whakamamae. Katoa mai e 16 ngā whakapuaki ki te Kōmihana e pā ana ki tētahi o ā mātou whare karakia, ki tētahi rānei o ngā minitatanga whai pānga ki tētahi o ō mātou whare karakia.
Nā ngā whakapuaki i whakatakoto ki mua ki te aroaro o te Kōmihana he mārama te kite atu, me āta whakaaroaro hoki e mātou, ngā Whare Karakia Whai Pānga o BUNZ, ngā kitenga me ngā tūtohutohu o ACRCI, ki te taha o ētahi atu o ngā whare karakia i Aotearoa.
I āhukahukatia e BUNZ te pūrongo whakamutunga o te ACRCI me te taumaha o ngā kitenga i te wā i whakaputaina ki te iwi whānui. Mai i taua wā, kua whakakao mai te BUNZ i tētahi rōpū e kīia nei ko te ACRCI Response Group, i riro i a rātou te mahi arotake i te katoa o ngā pūrongo mai i te ACRCI me te whakatakoto tūtohu mō ngā huringa e tika ana puta noa i ngā whare karakia kei roto i te BUNZ.
Koirā ko tō mātou hiahia kia āta whakaaroaro i ngā kitenga o te ACRCI, kia tōtika ai tā mātou urupare, nā runga i te nui o te whakamamae whakarihariha nei i mahi ai i roto i ngā whare karakia Karaitiana me ō rātou minitatanga, tae atu ki ngā whakaritenga o te Hāhi Iriiri. E tika ana kia noho haumaru, kia manaakitia ai ngā tāngata e whai ana ki ō mātou hapori whakapono me ngā minitatanga whai pānga.
E āhukahuka ana mātou kei te haere tonu te mahi whakarongo ki ngā tāngata i pāngia ai e te tūkino me te whakamamae. Heoi anō, kāore e kore kāore i rangirua te hiahia kia arohia ake te tūturutanga o ō mātou mōhiotanga tae noa ki tēnei wā.
Nō reira, ko tō mātou hiahia, ko ngā kaiārahi o BUNZ, he tuku i tēnei whakapāha ōkawa mō te taha ki ōna Whare Karakia Whai Pānga me ngā minitatanga e hāngai mai ana.
Te Whakapāha
Ko te mea tuatahi, kei te hiahia tāpae atu mātou i tō mātou whakapāha pono ki te hunga i pāngia e te tūkino i a rātou e noho ana i raro i te manaakitanga o tētahi o ō mātou Whare Karakia Whai Pānga o BUNZ, i tētahi rānei o ngā minitatanga e hāngai ana ki tētahi Whare Karakia Whai Pānga o BUNZ. Kua tino hapa ēnei Whare Karakia Whai Pānga, ngā minitatanga rānei o BUNZ, i tā rātou kawenga ki te manaaki i te tangata. I whakamamaetia ai te tangata ā-tinana, ā-ngākau, ā-taitōkai, ā-wairua anō hoki. Kāore i tika te whakamarumaru o te hunga rangatahi, me ngā pakeke. Kāore i paku ahatia hei aukati i te tūkino i mahia. Tōna tikanga kua kore i pēnei ai. E kore nei e taea te nui, te hōhonu hoki o tō mātou pōuri te kōrero mō ngā mahi i mahia i roto i ēnei Whare Karakia Whai Pānga, ngā minitatanga rānei o BUNZ.
Ina koa, e hiahia ana mātou ki te kōrero mō te hunga i raro i te manaakitanga o te Manurewa Children’s Home. Tōna tikanga ko te mutunga mai o te pai te taumata o te manaakitanga e tika ana mō te haepapa o te tiakitanga o ngā tamariki me te hunga rangatahi e noho tino mōrearea ana, engari e mōhio ana mātou he tokomaha ngā tāngata i whakamamaetia i roto i tēnei whare. I hē tā mātou tiaki i a koe, hki atu, hoki atu, e hia nei ngā hē, ka mutu, puta noa hoki i te wā roa. Nei, ko tō mātou whakapāha ki a koe, mōu ake.
E mōhio ana mātou he taikaha te pānga o te tūkinotanga ki te tangata mō te roanga o tana hīkoitanga i tēnei ao. Kua pāngia ai tōna hauora, tōna oranga, ōna hononga ki te tangata, me tōna whakapono. Ko te tūkinotanga he hōhonu, mō ētahi tē taea te whakatikatika, kua haere tonu hoki aua pānga i roto i ō rātou ao. E mārama ana ki a mātou ehara te tūkino i te tūkinotanga o ngā rā o mua, engari he tūturutanga kē e pāngia tonutia ana ki ō rātou ao. Mō te haerenga tonutanga o tēnei tūkino, ka nui tō mātou pōuri.
Me āhukahuka anō e mātou, ngā papānga whānui ake o te hunga i raro i te manaakitanga o tētahi o ō mātou Whare Karakia, minitatanga rānei Whai Pānga o BUNZ. He nui anō ngā wā, kua nui rawa te pānga ki ngā hoa rangatira, ngā tamariki, ngā hoa me te hapori o ēnei tāngata. E tino hiahia ana mātou ki te whakapuaki i tō mātou tino pōuri mō te whānui o te pānga ki tēnei tini o te tangata.
He mārama mātou nā te āhua o ngā whanonga ki ngā paerikiriki, kua tino nui te whakamamae ki te hunga pēnei i te tangata whenua Māori, te tangata Pasifika, te wahine, te hunga whaikaha, me te hunga LGBTQ+. Ki ēnei tāngata, mōhio ana mātou ko koutou te hunga i whāia rawatia, tino hē nei te whaiwhai. E whakapono ana mātou nā te Atua ngā tāngata katoa i hanga, e arohaina ana e te Atua, heoi anō, arā ngā wā kua noho koe ānō nei he iti ake te aroha mōu, hawea kētia ana. Mō tēnei, ka nui tō mātou pōuri. E ngākaunui ana mātou kia mātua whakaritea e whakatikaina ai e tō mātou urupare ngā tūkino, ngā whanonga rānei e pāngia ai ētahi momo tāngata e te whakamamae.
He mārama hoki mātou arā anō te tini o ngā wāhi i whai wāhi ai ngā whare karakia ki ngā wheako o te tūkino me te whakamamae o te tangata. He mōhio mātou kua hapaina ai te tangata i tōna haerenga mai ki tōna whare karakia ki te whai tautoko e pā ana ki te tūkino me te whakamamae i pā ki a rātou i wāhi kē atu, i roto pea i tōna hononga ki te tangata, i te whānau rānei, otirā, kāore i tōtika te urupare ki ōna āwangawanga. Tōna tikanga mai rā anō ko te tirohanga tika i ō mātou whare karakia katoa, kua kore rawa e tika te tūkino, ahakoa he aha, tōna tikanga ko tā rātou urupare ko te hāpai i tō haumarutanga me tō mana.
Kua kore rawa e tika te tūkinotanga o tētahi atu tangata, engari, kia tūkinotia ai te tangata i te wā e noho tino mōrearea ana, i a rātou e honohono atu ana ki tētahi hapori Karaitiana, minitatanga, kātahi te tino hē ko tēnā. Nā Ihu mātou i whakaako me tino tiaki, manaaki hoki te hunga noho mōrearea. I hapa ō mātou Whare Karakia Whai Pānga me ngā minitatanga hāngai ki te whakatinana i te aroha, te haumarutanga, me te ture kei te ngako o te Rongopai e kīia ake e whāia nei e mātou.
He mārama hoki mātou, ehara i te mea he mahi whakamoho rawa ake ēnei tūkino, engari he hapa ā-pūnaha i te tirohanga whānui, te kawenga takohanga, me te aroha. Mō tēnei, ka nui tō mātou pōuri.
Ko mātou, hei whakakotahitanga o ngā whare karakia, me pai ake te mahi, ka mutu, e ū ana mātou ki tō mātou kupu kia pai ake te mahi. Ehara i te mea ko te whakamutunga tēnei whakapāha o tā mātou urupare – engari tonu, he mea whakapuaki i te haerenga e mātua tīmatahia ana e mātou. He ngākaunui mātou kia titiro whakamuri, kia whakarongo ki ngā tangata i tūkinotia, ki te whakahaere i ngā huringa whaihua kia mātua whakaritea he wāhi ō mātou whare karakia e kore e whakaaetia ai te tūkino.
E mihi ana mātou ki te māia o aua tāngata i tū ake, i tuari ai ā rātou kōrero. Ko ō koutou reo he reo āwhina i te aranga ake o te pono, te mana tangata, me te huringa pūmau tonu.
Ko tā mātou he ngākaunui ki te hīkoi i te huarahi roa o te whakarauoratanga i runga i te ngākau tapatahi, te ngākau māhaki, me te mahi.
E āhukahuka atu nei mātou, ko ngā kaiārahi o te BUNZ, kei runga i ngā pokowhiwhi katoa o ngā kaiārahi o ō mātou Whare Karakia Whai Pānga me ō mātou minitatanga te haepapa mō te whakamamae i mahia ai. Ko tā mātou he āhukahuka ko ngā kaiārai i ēnei tūranga i ō mātou Whare Karakia Whai Pānga me ō mātou minitatanga, me te hunga kawe i aua tūranga ā ngā rā e tū ake nei, e noho haepapa mō te haumarutanga o ngā tāngata i ngā whare karakia o BUNZ.
E aro whakamua ana mātou me te tūmanako mō te hanga hapori he haumaru ngā tāngata katoa, e ora anō ai hoki te whakapono ki ō mātou whare karakia, minitatanga hoki mā roto i ngā mahi e whai ai e mātou.
Kua waitohua mā te Kōtahitanga o ngā Hāhi Iriiri o Aotearoa (BUNZ), mō te taha ki ōna Whare Karakia Whai Pānga me ngā minitatanga hāngai katoa
Rod Robson,
Chairperson, Baptist National Council.
Kua pāngia koe e te tūkino?
Mehemea i pāngia koe e te tūkino i tētahi o ngā Whare Karakia Whai Pānga o BUNZ, i tētahi minitatanga rānei, e tono ana mātou ki a koe ki te whakapā mai ki a mātou. E hiahia ana mātou kia rongo i a koe, ki te honohono ki a koe, ki te urupare ki a koe. Tēnā, whakapā mai ki a mātou i: [email protected]
Click here to download a PDF of the te reo Māori translation of the apology.
O le Faato’esega Aloa’ia mai le Baptist Union o Niu Sila (BUNZ) e fai ma sui o ana Ekalesia Soofaatasi ma soo se auaunaga tutusa
Tala’aga
I le tausaga e 2018, na faalauiloa ai e le Mālō o Niu Sila le tofia ose Komisi Su’esu’e o le Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry (ACRCI), lea na faai’uina i le tatalaina o le lipoti mulimuli a le Komisi ia Iulai 2024.
E ui ina e le’i aofia aloa’ia le BUNZ ma ana Ekalesia Soofaatasi i le faagasologa o le ACRCI, ae sa i ai pea ni tagata na omai sa’o lava i le Komisi na faasoa mai o latou a’afiaga i tulaga sauāina ma le āfaina. E 16 le aofa’iga o faamatalaga tuuina mai i le Komisi e faatatau i se tasi o tatou ekalesia poo se auaunaga faamisionare e fesoota’i ma se tasi o tatou ekalesia.
O faamatalaga na tuuina mai i le Komisi o loo manino mai ai, o matou, o Ekalesia Soofaatasi a le BUNZ, e mana’omia fo’i ona matou vaava’ai toto’a i su’esu’ega ma fautuaga a le ACRCI, faatasi ai ma isi ekalesia i totonu o Niu Sila.
Na talia e le BUNZ le lipoti mulimuli a le ACRCI ma le ogaoga tele o ana sailiiliga i le taimi na faalauiloa ai faalaua’itele. Talu mai le taimi lea, na tuufaatasia ai loa e le BUNZ le Vaega Tali a le ACRCI, e gafa ma le iloiloina o lipoti uma mai le ACRCI faapea ai ma le tuuina atu o fautuaga i suiga e manaʻomia i ekalesia uma o loo avea ma vaega o le BUNZ.
O lo matou naunauta’iga o le iloiloina toto’a lea o sa’iliga na maua e le ACRCI, ina ia talafeagai la matou tali atu i ai, pe a fua i le matuiā o le faiga inosia ua āfaina ai totonu o Ekalesia Kerisiano ma a latou auaunaga faamisionare, e aofia ai ma le Ekalesia Papatiso. E tatau ona saogalemu ma tausia lelei tagata o lo tatou aiga faatuatua faapea ma isi auaunaga faamisionare e fesoota’i.
Matou te iloaina atu o le galuega o le taliaina o faamatalaga mai tagata na a’afia i sauāga ma faiga leaga o loo faaāuāu pea. Ae ui i lea, e leai lava se masalosalo ona o loo i ai pea se manaʻoga mo le āmana’iaina o mea ua matou iloa i le taimi nei.
O le mea lea, matou te fia momoli atu ai lenei faato’esega aloa’ia, o i matou o le pulega o le BUNZ, e fai ma sui o ana Ekalesia Soofaatasi faapea ma soo se auaunaga faamisionare tutusa.
Faato’esega
O le mea muamua lava, matou te momoli atu la matou faato’esega faamaoni ia i latou na a’afia i sauāga a’o i ai i le va’aiga a se tasi o tatou Ekalesia Soofaatasi a BUNZ poo se auaunaga faamisionare e tutusa ma le Ekalesia Soofaatasi a BUNZ. O nei Ekalesia Soofaatasi a BUNZ poo galuega faamisionare, ua matuā to’ilalo lava i lo latou tiute mo le tausiga o tagata. Ua āfaina tagata i tulaga faaletino, faalelagona, faafeusua’iga, ma le faaleagaga. E leʻi puipuia tamaiti, o talavou, ma tagata matutua. E le’i faia se gaioiga e fo’ia ai sauāga na tutupu. Sa le’i tatau ona tutupu nei mea. Matou te matuā faamalulu atu lava ona o mea ua tutupu i totonu o nei Ekalesia Soofaatasi a BUNZ faapea ma auaunaga faamisionare.
Ae faapitoaugafa se lagona ma matou manatua ai male totoa ia i latou sa i lalo ole vaaiga male tausiga a le fale mo tamaiti i Manurewa, Manurewa Children’s Home. O le tauaveina o le matāfaioi mo le vaaiga o tamaiti ma tupulaga talavou aemaise lava i tulaga maʻaleʻale, sa tatau ona latou maua le tausiga sili, ae matou te iloa sa i ai le tele o tagata na āfaina i totonu o lenei nofoaga. Sa lē lelei le tausiga o outou, e masani ai i le tele o taimi, ma faaauau atu ai i se vaitaimi umi. Matou te faato’ese faapitoa atu ia te outou.
Ua matou iloa o le a’afiaga o sauāga ua ogaoga tele i le soifuaga o tagata. Ua a’afia ai lo latou soifua maloloina, soifuaga, mafutaga, ma le faatuatua. Ua matuā maoa’e le faaleagaina, ua lē mafai ona toe faaleleia mo nisi tagata, ma o a’afiaga o loo faaauau pea i o latou olaga. Matou te iloa o le sauāina e lē o se tulaga na oʻo i ai tagata i tala faasolopito, ae o se mea moni o loo faaauau ona aʻafia ai o latou olaga. Matou te faamālulu atu, ona o lenei faalētonu faifai pea.
Matou te faailoa atu foi, le a’afiaga lautele o sauāga o tagata sa i lalo o le vaaiga a se tasi o tatou Ekalesia Soofaatasi a BUNZ poo auaunaga faamisionare. I le tele o tulaga, ua i ai ni a’afiaga maitauina i taito’alua o tagata, o fanau, o uo faapea ma afio’aga. Matou te fia faailoa atu lo matou lagona salamō faamaoni mo le salalau ai lautele o a’afiaga i le to’atele o tagata.
Ua matou iloa o amioga aga’i i vaega to’alaiti, e aofia ai tagata whenua Māori, tagata Pasifika, tamaitai, tagata e iai mana’oga faapitoa, ma tagata e faailoa mai o LGBTQ+ ua mafua ai ona faaleagaina. Mo i latou ua afaina, matou te ioe ua le tonu ma le talafeagai o nei amioga sa faia ua aafia ai outou. Matou te talitonu o tagata uma lava na faia e le Atua ma alofagia e fo’i e Ia, ma e i ai taimi e te lagona ai le itiiti o le alofagia o oe, ma e oo lava ina inosia. Matou te faamālulu atu ai, ona o lea tulaga. Matou te ta’utino atu le faamautinoaina o la matou tali faifai pea e taofiaina ai soo se sauāga poo amioga e mafua ai ona āfaina tagata.
Ua matou iloa foi e tele isi vaega sa avea ai ekalesia ma vaega o a’afiaga tau sauāga ma le afaina o tagata. Ua matou iloa sa leai se tali mo tagata ina ua latou omai i la latou ekalesia mo se fesoasoani e uiga i lo latou sauāina ma le āfaina na latou oo i ai i isi nofoaga, e pei o totonu o a latou mafutaga poo totonu o āiga, ma o latou popolega sa leai se tali e talafeagai. Sa tatau ona taofi pea e a tatou ekalesia le manatu o soo se sauāga e lē taliaina, ma o la latou tali sa tatau ona puipuia ai lou saogalemu ma lou tamalii’aga.
O le sauāina o soo se tagata e lē taliaina, ae mo tagata na sauāina pea ona o lo latou tulaga ma’ale’ale ma pe a latou fesootaʻi ma se faalapotopotoga Kerisiano poo se vaega faamisionare o se tulaga lea ua faapitoa i ai le lē manuia. Na aʻoaʻoina i tatou e Iesu e tatau ona tatou ave le auaunaga ma le tausiga silisili mo tagata o loo manaʻomia le fesoasoani. Ua lē mafai e a tatou Ekalesia Soofaatasi ma auaunaga faamisionare tutusa ona faatino le alofa, le saogalemu, ma le amiotonu o loo i le fatu o le Talalelei ua tatou ta’utinoina e mulimuli ai.
Matou te iloa foi, o nei sauāga e lē gata o ni gaioiga faalata i le tagata lava ia ae faapea foi ma le va’aiga e lē atoatoa i nofoaga, le tali atu, ma le leai o se alofa. Matou te faamālulu atu ai, ona o lea tulaga.
O le avea ai oi tatou o se faapotopotoga o ekalesia, ua tatau ai ona sili atu le lelei, ma tatou ta’utino le faia o mea sili atu. O lenei faato’esega e lē o se faailoga e faai’u ai la matou tali atu-ae, e faailoa ai le tatou faigamalaga ua amatalia ma le faamaoni. Matou te taʻutino atu le a’oa’oga ua matou maua mai mea sa tutupu ua tuanaʻi, matou faalogo i tagata na oʻo i ai sauāga, ma faia i ai ni suiga anoa e faamautinoa ai e lē toe taliaina ni sauāga i nofoaga o a tatou ekalesia.
Matou te ava tele ia i latou sa lototetele ma oo mai e faasoa mai o latou tala’aga. O lo outou leo o loo fesoasoani i le aumaia o le mea moni, faamasinoga tonu, ma suiga tumau.
Ua matou ta’utino le savavali i se ala umi mo le toe fuata’ina ma le faamaoni, le loto maualalo, ma galuega faatino.
I lo matou tulaga faauluuluga ole Ekalesia Papatiso Soofaatasi i Niu Sila (BUNZ), faatasi ai ma taitai uma o Ekalesia i totonu o le mafutaga ale BUNZ faapea a matou taiulu o auaunaga faamisionare, ua matou tautino atu, ua matou talia ma tausoa masei ma faaletonu ua aliai mai ona o sauaga ma aafiaga sa tutupu i totonu o lo matou lava lotoifale. Matou te faailoa atu o ta’ita’i i nei matāfaioi i totonu o tatou Ekalesia Soofaatasi ma a tatou auaunaga faamisionare, ma i latou o le a tau’aveina nei matāfaioi i le lumanai, o le a faamasinoina mo le saogalemu o tagata i ekalesia e i totonu o le BUNZ.
Matou te tulimata’i pea ma le faamoemoe ia mautu ma lelei le tapenaga o mafutaga taitasi ina ia saogalemu ai tagata uma, ma e mafai ona toe faafoʻisia mai le faatuatuaga i a tatou ekalesia ma auaunaga faamisionare e ala i gaioiga matou te faia.
Sainia e fai ma sui o le Iuni o Ekalesia Paptiso i Niu Sila, o ana Ekalesia Soofaatasi ma auaunaga faamisionare tutusa
Rod Robson,
Chairperson, Baptist National Council.
Ua a’afia oe i ni sauāga?
Afai na oo ni sauāga ia te oe e ala i Ekalesia Soofaatasi a le BUNZ poo auaunaga faamisionare, matou te valaʻau atu ma le faaaloalo e faafesootaʻi mai matou. Matou te talileleia le avanoa e faalogo atu ai ia te oe, fesootaʻi ma oe, ma tali atu ia te oe. Faamolemole faafesoota’i matou i le: [email protected]
Click here to download a PDF of the Samoan translation of the apology.
Listen to the apology being read aloud in Samoan
新西兰浸信会联会（BUNZ）代表其关联教会及相关事工机构正式致歉
背景信息
2018年，新西兰政府成立了“照护机构虐待行为皇家调查委员会”（Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry，简称“ACRCI”），该委员会于2024年7月发布了最终调查报告。
尽管新西兰浸信会联会（Baptist Union of New Zealand，简称“BUNZ”）及其关联教会未被正式纳入该调查程序，但是有若干个人直接向委员会陈述了遭受虐待和伤害的经历。总共有16起向委员会披露的事件涉及BUNZ的某一关联教会或教会的相关事工机构。
这些披露信息表明，作为BUNZ的关联教会，我们同样需要与新西兰其他教会共同审慎考量ACRCI的调查结果与建议。
在ACRCI的最终报告公开发布时，BUNZ即认可了该报告，并认同报告指出的相关问题的严重性。此后，BUNZ成立了ACRCI回应小组（ACRCI Response Group），负责审阅ACRCI的所有报告，并就针对要求BUNZ各教会所需进行的变革提出建议。
有鉴于在基督教教会及其事工机构（包括浸信会和机构）中所发生令人发指的伤害行为之严重性，我们谨慎且慎重考量ACRCI的调查结果，以期作出正确的回应。我们信仰团体及相关事工机构的成员应当获得安全的保障和妥善的照料。
我们知道，聆听那些曾遭受虐待和伤害的人们的心声这项工作目前仍在持续进行中。但毋庸置疑的是，我们需要正视迄今为止已掌握的事实真相。
因此，作为BUNZ的领导层，我们谨代表BUNZ的关联教会及相关事工机构正式致歉。
致歉
首先和首要的是，我们向所有在BUNZ关联教会或其相关事工机构接受照护期间遭受了虐待的人们致以诚挚的歉意。这些BUNZ关联教会或事工机构严重失职，未能履行其照护职责，导致受照护者遭受了身体、情感、性及精神/灵性层面的伤害。他们未能保护好这些儿童、青少年及成年人。针对所发生的虐待行为，他们未能采取任何处理措施。此类事件绝不应当发生。对于在这些BUNZ关联教会或事工机构所发生的事件，我们深表歉意。
我们尤其要向曾在Manurewa Children’s Home接受照护的人们致歉。对于处境极为脆弱的儿童和青少年，本应给予最周全的照料，但我们知道，在该机构里有许多人受到了伤害。你们未能得到应有的待遇而受到辜负，被多次伤害且持续了相当长的时间。我们向你们致以特别的歉意。
我们深知虐待对受害者的生活造成严重的影响。他们的健康、生活、人际关系、和信仰均受到了影响。这些伤害的影响深远，对一些受害者而言甚至是无法弥补，并贯穿他们的一生。我们深知，虐待并不只是受害者过去的一段经历，而是会持续影响他们当下生活的现实。对于这种持续的伤害，我们深表歉意。
我们同样承认，在我们BUNZ的其中一个关联教会或事工机构中，发生了对被照护者的虐待行为，其造成的影响更为广泛。在许多案例中，受害者的配偶、子女、朋友、社区都因此受到了巨大的影响。这些对诸多民众造成广泛影响的事件，我们致以由衷的歉意。
我们认识到，针对包括毛利原住民、太平洋岛民、女性、残障人士、LGBTQ+在内的少数群体的相关行为，给他们造成了特殊的伤害。我们认为，这些群体遭受了尤其不公平的对待。我们相信，所有人皆由上帝所造并蒙上帝所爱，而你们却时常感到不被爱，甚至遭到轻视。对此，我们深表歉意。我们承诺将持续采取行动，处理任何导致特定群体遭受伤害的虐待行为或不当举动。
我们同样认识到，在许多其他情形中，教会也曾是人们遭遇虐待和伤害经历的一部分。当会众在其他场合（如与配偶或家庭关系中）遭受虐待和伤害而寻求教会支持时，却未能得到妥善回应，这无疑是教会的失职。我们的教会本应始终秉持这样的立场：任何虐待行为都是不可接受的，教会的处理方式本应维护您的安全与尊严。
任何人受到虐待都是不可接受的，而当他们处于最脆弱的时刻被虐待、当他们与基督教群体或事工接触时被虐待，这尤其是一种失败。耶稣教导我们，处于困境中的人值得我们竭尽全力地去服侍与关怀。我们的关联教会及相关事工未能践行我们所宣称遵循的福音核心——即爱、安全与公义。
我们同样认识到，这些虐待行为不仅是严重的个人背叛行径，更是监督机制、问责体系和同情心层面的系统性失败。对此，我们深表歉意。
作为教会的联会，我们必须做得更好，并决心付诸行动。这份道歉声明并非我们回应的终点，而是我们认真开启新征程的起点。我们承诺将汲取历史教训、倾听受害者的心声、并进行实质性的改革，以确保我们的教会是对虐待行为零容忍的地方。
我们向那些勇敢地站出来分享自身经历的人们致敬。你们的发声正推动着发掘真相、维护公义与持久变革的实现。
我们承诺以正直之心、谦逊态度、实际行动，踏上漫长的修复之路。
作为BUNZ的领导层，我们承认，所有的关联教会及事工机构的领导者都应对已造成的伤害承担责任。我们确认，关联教会及事工机构的现任领导者，以及未来将要担任此类职务的人士，都将对BUNZ关联教会里的会众的安全承担责任。
我们满怀希望地期待着建立让所有人感到安全的社区/群体，通过我们的实际行动重建人们对教会及事工的信任。
仅代表新西兰浸信会联会、其关联教会及相关事工机构签字
Rod Robson,
Chairperson, Baptist National Council.
您是否曾遭受虐待？
若您在BUNZ的某个关联教会或事工机构里遭受过虐待，我们诚挚邀请您与我们联系。我们期待倾听您的心声、与您保持沟通并对您作出回应。请通过以下方式联系我们：[email protected]
Click here to download a PDF of the Chinese translation of the apology.
Formal Apology from the Baptist Union of New Zealand
21 October 2025
Background
In 2018, the New Zealand Government started an investigation called the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry.
Abuse is when someone hurts or misuses another person.
An inquiry is a formal investigation to find the truth
They listened to people who were hurt while they were meant to be cared for.
The Commission finished its work and gave a final report in July 2024.
Some people told the Commission about harm that happened in Baptist churches or ministries.
Ministries are activities or services run by a church to help people.
There were 16 people who spoke up about this.
These stories showed that Baptist churches or ministries also need to look carefully at what the Commission found, and at what needs to change.
Other churches in New Zealand are doing this too.
After the report came out, the Baptist Union of New Zealand created a special group called the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry Response Group.
This group has reviewed the Commission’s reports and suggested changes for our churches to be safer for everyone.
We want to take this work very seriously.
We know that the harm that happened in churches and Christian organisations is very wrong.
Everyone who is part of a church or ministry should be safe and cared for.
We know that listening to people who were hurt is ongoing work.
But we already know enough to say we are sorry.
So today, the leaders of the Baptist Union of New Zealand want to make a formal apology on behalf of our churches and ministries.
Apology
We are deeply sorry to everyone who was hurt while they were in the care of a Baptist church or ministry.
You should have been kept safe.
You were not.
That is wrong.
People were hurt in many ways:
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Physically
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Emotionally
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Sexually
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Spiritually
Children, young people, and adults were not protected.
Sometimes, when harm was known about, nothing was done to stop it.
This should never have happened.
We especially want to say sorry to the people who were hurt when they lived in the Manurewa Children’s Home.
You were in a place that should have cared for you.
Instead, you were hurt.
This happened to many people and went on for a long time.
We are truly sorry.
We know that the harm has really hurt people’s lives.
It can impact their health, relationships, work, and faith.
For some, the pain continues even today.
We are sorry for this ongoing hurt.
We are also sorry to the families, friends, and communities of people who were hurt.
You too have been affected by what happened.
We know these people have been hurt especially:
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Māori
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Pasifika
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women
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people with disabilities
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people who identify as LGBTQ+
You were often treated unfairly or made to feel unwelcome.
We believe all people are created and loved by God.
We are sorry for when we did not show that love.
We also know that sometimes, people came to churches for help when they were being harmed elsewhere.
For example, they may have been harmed by their families.
Sometimes people were not helped properly by the church.
Churches should have always made sure people were safe and treated with care.
It is never okay for anyone to be abused.
It is especially wrong when it happens in a church, a place that should be about love, care, and safety.
Jesus taught us to care for those who need help.
We did not live up to that teaching.
For this, we are deeply sorry.
The harm that happened was not just caused by individuals.
It also came from systems that failed to protect people.
We are sorry for those failures too.
This apology is only one step.
We promise to keep learning, listening, and making changes so that all our churches are safe.
We honour and thank the brave people who have spoken up.
Your voices are helping us bring truth and change.
We promise to work towards restoration with honesty and, humility.
Restoration means making things right again after harm.
We will actively try to fix things.
Our church leaders take responsibility for the harm that happened.
We commit that all leaders now and in the future will be responsible for keeping people safe.
We hope to rebuild trust and create church communities where everyone can feel safe and respected.
Have you experienced abuse?
Please contact us if you have been hurt at a Baptist church or ministry,
We want to hear from you, listen, and respond with care.
You can contact us at:
[email protected]
You can read more about what we are doing here: baptist.nz/resources/abuse-in-care
Images from Freepik – Flaticon: https://www.flaticon.com/
Click here to download a PDF of the Easy to Read English version of the apology.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Following the release of the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry (ACRCI) in July 2024, the Baptist Union of New Zealand (BUNZ) commissioned a group of representatives from across Baptist churches – the ACRCI Response Group – to consider the actions required of its Associated Churches in response to the Inquiry’s recommendations.
Although the BUNZ was not a formal participant in the Inquiry, 16 disclosures were made to the Commission involving Baptist Associated Churches or ministries. We acknowledge without reservation that abuse did occur in our care, and that people were failed when they should have been protected.
At the time of the release of the final ACRCI report, the BUNZ acknowledged the findings of the report. However, it was a recommendation of the ACRCI Response Group that a fuller formal apology was publicly issued.
The Baptist Union of New Zealand (BUNZ) is focussing its efforts on making the changes we need to make to honour the experiences of survivors of abuse. We have heard the clear call from survivors that they want to see Baptist churches and ministries putting their efforts into taking all actions possible to prevent abuse and harm from occurring now and into the future.
We are also deeply committed to ensuring there are sincere, personalised face to face apologies made, and we are prioritising this occurring as part of our response to any individual or whānau that has experienced abuse in the context of a BUNZ Associated Church or ministry.
The group’s role was to review the Commission’s reports, consider expert and survivor perspectives, and recommend what meaningful action should follow.
Its work has directly informed the apology. The group has developed a comprehensive plan of recommendations, which we are now actively working through implementing.
The Baptist Union is committed to:
- Strengthening safeguarding standards across churches and ministries.
- Reviewing and clarify how complaints are received and responded to.
- Providing clearer public information about available supports and next steps.
- Addressing the systemic issues, attitudes and conditions identified by the ACRCI as causative in abuse occurring.
These actions are being taken with survivor input and under independent advice.
Our goal is to build communities where every person — especially those who are vulnerable — is treated with safety, dignity, and care.
Each Baptist church and ministry is self-governing. This means that the Baptist Union of New Zealand (BUNZ) cannot create a single, centralised redress scheme.
However, our National Office will provide comprehensive support and assistance to people as they come forward to us to share their experience and receive a response.
The BUNZ will act as a connection and guidance point, helping people who have experienced abuse to navigate next steps with the relevant church or ministry, and ensuring that every response is fair, trauma-informed, and respectful.
We sincerely invite anyone who has experienced abuse in a Baptist setting to contact the Baptist National Support Centre via: [email protected] or PO Box 12149, Penrose, Auckland 1642.
You can choose what to share and when. All contact will be treated with dignity, care, and confidentiality, and independent advocacy or counselling support will be offered.
Further information is available at baptist.nz/resource/complaints
Safeguarding is a key priority area for our National Council and leadership, and is being monitored at the highest level. The National Council is ensuring there is regular reporting and reflection around safeguarding practices across its Associated Churches.
Church leaders and staff are being supported to strengthen policies, supervision, and training to ensure all Baptist environments are safe, accountable, and transparent.
We recognise that harm has been experienced disproportionately by Māori and Pasifika whānau.
Our ongoing work involves engagement with Māori and Pacific advisors, and we are committed to ensuring that redress and safeguarding processes are culturally grounded and inclusive.
We understand that many survivors will feel deep mistrust and anger as a result of what they experienced.
We know that words alone do not bring the justice that people who experienced abuse deserve, and we are committed to taking all the steps we can to prevent abuse. This will be an ongoing journey, but our action has begun and will continue in earnest.
We do not expect forgiveness — we hope instead that through our actions, transparency, and humility will be evident to those who have experienced abuse.
We will report publicly on progress and continue to share updates about the steps being taken across the Baptist movement to improve safety, accountability, and support for survivors.
This apology is not an endpoint — it is the beginning of an ongoing process of seeking to honour the experiences people have had and do all we can to prevent abuse and harm now and into the future.
Have you been impacted by abuse?
If you have experienced abuse through a BUNZ Associated Church or ministry, we sincerely invite you to make contact with us. We welcome the opportunity to hear from you, connect with you, and respond to you. Please contact us using the form below or emailing [email protected]
The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry website has a Getting help and support section for survivors with a list of some of the telephone helplines or services that offer support, information and help.
Contact us confidentially
Media enquiries
Please contact:
Mike Crudge
Communications Director, Baptist National Support Centre
Ph +64 21 100 5915
[email protected]
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