WELLINGTON, New Zealand — On Tuesday, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon delivered a heartfelt and comprehensive apology in Parliament, addressing the extensive maltreatment, torture, and neglect experienced by hundreds of thousands of children and vulnerable individuals under government care.

Luxon described the situation as “horrific,” “heartbreaking,” and “wrong,” while acknowledging the presence of survivors in the audience. His remarks came in response to a report that revealed an estimated 200,000 individuals in state, foster, and faith-based care faced “unimaginable” abuse over a staggering seven-decade period, concluding the largest inquiry conducted in New Zealand to date.

The Prime Minister recognized the lasting impact of these experiences on many individuals, stating, “For many of you it changed the course of your life, and for that, the government must take responsibility.” Luxon emphasized the significance of his words, expressing sincerity and validating the stories shared by survivors. He extended the apology not only to victims but also on behalf of previous administrations.

The inquiry’s findings, described as a “national disgrace,” stemmed from a six-year exploration into the treatment of around 650,000 individuals within state, foster, and faith-based institutions between 1950 and 2019. This revelation is particularly alarming given New Zealand’s current population is approximately 5 million. Nearly one-third of those in care experienced physical, sexual, verbal, or psychological abuse, with many more subjected to neglect or exploitation.

The report also highlighted that M?ori, the Indigenous people of New Zealand, were disproportionately affected by these abuses. In light of the findings, the government acknowledged for the first time that the historical mistreatment of certain children at a notorious state-run hospital constituted torture and committed to apologizing to all those who suffered in various care settings since 1950.

However, Luxon’s government faced criticism from some survivors and advocates earlier in the day for not yet outlining plans for financial compensation for victims of abuse, emphasizing the need for accountability and support for those impacted by these troubling revelations.