When the Prime Minister apologised for abuse and neglect in the state care system on 12 November 2024, he announced a “National Remembrance Day” would be held a year later, on 12 November 2025.
The purpose of this day would be to “call the country to reflect on abuse in care, survivors of abuse, and those who have passed away”.
Ministers agreed a National Day of Reflection would be community and survivor led and supported by Government.
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 have received funding. Although many are private events for specific survivor groups, the following events are open to the public and the details have been provided by the organisers. These may be subject to change and will be updated as and when the organisers notify us of changes.
Last updated 3 November.
Time |
Location |
Event |
Organisation |
8 November 2025 |
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10am - 4pm |
40 Keeling Avenue, Te Atatu, Auckland | Day of Reflection for Tuvalu and Kiribati women who have endured abuse, neglect, and injustice - a safe and culturally grounded space to honour survivors, acknowledge harms, promote healing, and foster community solidarity. | Kirivalu Aotearoa Society |
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10am - 4pm |
Corbans Arts Centre, 2 Mount Lebanon Lane, Henderson |
A space for Survivors, whanau and community to come together to share korero and wananga, increase visibility. | Te Roopū Toiora Charitable Trust |
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10am - 2pm |
Bromley Community Centre, 45 Bromley Road, Christchurch | Honour survivors of abuse in state care, remember those we have lost, and provide safe spaces for reconnection and healing, educate the wider community and to provide some means of hauora and healing for Survivors Whānau day for families who have experience of or have been impacted by abuse in care, and for people working alongside impacted people to share the day and connect with others. The event will be tamariki friendly, and services will be invited have stalls to promote their mahi and how people can work with them. |
New Zealand Collective of Abused in State Care Charitable Trust (NZCAST) |
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4pm |
Paparoa sports community centre, Northland | Survivor Reflection Performance offering a space for acknowledgment, reflection, and kōrero. | Kaipara Centre for the Arts Charitable Trust |
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11am - 3pm |
100 Grandview Road, Nawton, Hamilton | Honour survivors of abuse in state care, remember those we have lost, and provide safe spaces for reconnection and healing, educate the wider community and to provide some means of hauora and healing for survivors | New Zealand Collective of Abused in State Care Charitable Trust (NZCAST) |
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10am - 4pm |
Tūāhiwi Marae, Kaiapoi | Whānau day for families who have experience of or have been impacted by abuse in care, and for people working alongside impacted people to share the day and connect with others. The event will be tamariki friendly, and services will be invited have stalls to promote their mahi and how people can work with them. | Road II Redemption Trust |
9 November 2025 |
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9am - 5pm |
Halswell Domain, Christchurch |
National Remembrance Game of Rugby League and associated sport events - providing a platform for healing, unity, and positive pathways through sport. | Awa Aotearoa Incorporated |
12 November 2025 |
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10am - 4pm |
Ellen Melville Centre, Auckland CBD |
Partnering with Te Ata the event will feature screenings of three films: Mental Notes, Stolen Children of Aotearoa, and Crazy Happy. The event will also include the presentation of the inaugural Anne Helm Memorial Award for Dedication to Survivors, and displays outlining survivor mistreatment in NZ’s psychiatric institutions. |
Citizens Commission on Human Rights NZ |
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11.30am - 4pm |
19 View Road, Mt Eden, Auckland | This forum, brought to you by ECPAT NZ, aims to amplify child sexual abuse and exploitation survivor voices, influence policy, and strengthen frontline responses across Aotearoa | ECPAT Child Alert Trust |
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9am-5pm |
St Mary’s Church, 132 Taniwha Street Glen Innes | Honour survivors of abuse in state care, remember those we have lost, and provide safe spaces for reconnection and healing, educate the wider community and to provide some means of hauora and healing for survivors | New Zealand Collective of Abused in State Care Charitable Trust (NZCAST) |
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12pm - 3pm |
Validation Park, Middleton, Christchurch | Event for survivors, whānau and services to reflect and recognise the survivors and to raise awareness of abuse and neglect in care. | Tāne Whai Ora: Canterbury Men's Centre |
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4pm - 7pm |
Te Ora Hou Ōtautahi, 77 Windermere Road, Papanui, Christchurch |
Join us for a time of reflection as we remember survivors and raise awareness of abuse and neglect in care. Experience our care-experienced pop-up exhibition, Honouring Survivors, sharing stories and creative expressions from people with lived experience of care and abuse in care. There will be free kai, opportunities to collage and reflect through creativity with Paper Jam, Mirimiri practitioners available for survivors, and support on site for those who need it. Come and connect in community as we remember and reflect together. This event is for survivors of abuse in state or faith-based care, their whānau, and others who have been impacted. We also warmly welcome those who work alongside care-experienced tamariki, rangatahi, and survivors, to support the kaupapa and continue raising awareness. You can help us by sharing this invitation with young people and whānau you work with who may be survivors or supporting loved ones. If possible, please also share it through your newsletters, networks, and on social media by clicking “Going” or “Interested” on our Facebook event and sharing it with your communities: Facebook Event Link(external link) Questions or enquiries: tayla.taylor@voyce.org.nz or 021 605 708 |
VOYCE |
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10am - 3pm |
32 Leach Street, New Plymouth | Honour survivors of abuse in state care, remember those we have lost, and provide safe spaces for reconnection and healing, educate the wider community and to provide some means of hauora and healing for survivors | New Zealand Collective of Abused in State Care Charitable Trust (NZCAST) |
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10am - 2pm |
Eastbay REAP Whakatāne, 21 Pyne Street, Whakatāne | Honour survivors of abuse in state care, remember those we have lost, and provide safe spaces for reconnection and healing, educate the wider community and to provide some means of hauora and healing for survivors | New Zealand Collective of Abused in State Care Charitable Trust (NZCAST) |
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6pm - late |
Shared dinner at Frank Bar & Eatery at 6pm Private screening of Whale Rider at Embassy 3 at 7:45pm |
Dinner and a New Zealand awareness-themed movie to honour, acknowledge, and support survivors of abuse in care and their whānau/supporters Shared dinner at Frank Bar & Eatery at 6pm Followed by private screening of Whale Rider at Embassy 3 at 7:45pm | Community House (Whanganui) Association Incorporated |
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11am-2pm |
Levin Adventure Park, if the weather is bad, the event will be held at MASH Trust, Te Puna Rau Aroha 102 Liverpool St Levin |
Honour and acknowledge survivors of abuse in care and the whānau of those who have passed, providing a safe, inclusive, and culturally respectful environment for reflection, remembrance, and connection | MASH Trust |
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11am- 3pm |
Mair Park, Whangarei | Honour survivors of abuse in state care, remember those we have lost, and provide safe spaces for reconnection and healing, educate the wider community and to provide some means of hauora and healing for survivors | Abused in State Care Charitable Trust (NZCAST) |
14 November 2025 |
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10am - 4pm |
Kutarere Marae, 435 State Highway 2, Kutarere |
A space for survivors, whanau and community to come together to share korero and wananga, to increase visibility of our community, to educate the wider community and to provide some means of hauora and healing for survivors. | Te Roopū Toiora Charitable Trust |
15 November 2025 |
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9am - 4.30pm |
Frank Kitt’s Park, Wellington Waterfront, Takinga | National gathering where survivors, whānau, and supporters can stand together – Moment of silence; cultural and remembrance ceremonies; remembrance displays, art installations; games and wellness activities; national livestream; information and support hubs. In collaboration with NZCAST. | Ti Hei Mauri Tu Incorporated |
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10am-4pm |
ONEONESIX Community Centre 116a Bank Street, Whangarei | A space for survivors, whānau and community to come together to share korero and wananga, to increase visibility of our community, to educate the wider community and to provide some means of hauora and healing for survivors. | Te Roopū Toiora Charitable Trust |
16 November 2025 |
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11am - 3pm |
The Charlotte Te Whare Takatāpui-Wāhine o Aotearoa Museum, Auckland |
Activity to celebrate the courage and strength of lesbian/sapphic women who are survivors of abuse Day of Care and Connection | The Charlotte Museum(external link) |
The Charlotte Museum Te Whare Takatāpui-Wāhine o Aotearoa |
