This website has recently undergone substantial rebuilding. While we’ve worked to minimise disruptions, you may encounter some issues. We appreciate your patience during this transition.

Freephone (0800) 53 00 00
Family StoresFamily StoresDonate

About Us

Royal Commission

Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care & in the Care of Faith-based Institutions

royal commission inquiry image

Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care & in the Care of Faith-based Institutions

The Salvation Army is strongly committed to working with the Royal Commission into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions. 

If you are a survivor of abuse or have questions regarding the Royal Commission and The Salvation Army, please email The Salvation Army’s Royal Commission Response office. You can also phone our Territorial Headquarters in Wellington: (04) 384 5649 and ask for the Royal Commission Response Officer.  

For all media inquiries related to the Royal Commission, please contact our Territorial Media Officer, phone: 021 945 337. The Media Officer responds to enquiries from media outlets and journalists.

Public response to the Royal Commission recommendations

The Royal Commission asked agencies to issue formal public responses about whether each recommendation is accepted, accepted in principle, rejected or subject to further consideration. Each response should include a plan for how the accepted recommendations will be implemented, the reasons for rejecting any recommendations, and a timeframe for any further consideration required. This was to be done within four months of the report being tabled. 

The Salvation Army accepts all the findings and the recommendations that apply to us. 

Our full response is here.

Royal Commission Recommendations Response – The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army – Royal Commission Recommendations – Summary

The Royal Commission presented their final report, Whanaketia, in July 2024.  The Salvation Army released a statement supporting all the recommendations within Whanaketia that apply to The Army.

The Salvation Army is strongly committed to working with the Royal Commission

The Salvation Army is deeply sorry for the abuse inflicted on vulnerable children who were housed in Salvation Army children’s homes.

As these historical crimes have come to light—as people have courageously told their stories—we have had a policy of listening, saying sorry and making appropriate redress for their suffering. We have endeavoured to pursue a survivor-focused approach in our responses to people.

The Salvation Army has a zero-tolerance policy for any offending of this sort. We are committed to doing our utmost to ensure the protection of all those in our care, including children, young people and vulnerable people.

We are working with the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care to better understand the adequacy of our redress procedures in helping survivors.

Anyone who has experienced abuse through their connection with The Salvation Army can complain to The Salvation Army or, if a criminal matter, direct to the Police. People can also contact the Royal Commission on 0800 222 727 and speak confidentially.

Salvation Army Apology

The following statement was presented on behalf of Colonel Gerry Walker, Chief Secretary, at the Royal Commission Redress in Faith-Based Care Hearing on 10 December 2020

The Salvation Army is deeply sorry for the abuse inflicted on vulnerable children who were housed in Salvation Army children’s homes.

We recognise the courage it takes for those testifying to revisit trauma that should never have happened to them. What these survivors experienced was unwarranted and horrific. This has caused lasting damage to them and their wider circle of relationships.

There is no excuse for what happened. The lives that these children deserved were stolen from them. It is offensive that this was allowed to happen within an organisation that exists to serve a God of love.

We recognise that words alone cannot heal what has been broken. We therefore want to assure survivors that The Salvation Army is fully committed to listening to them and learning from this Royal Commission and any recommendations it might make. This applies not only in relation to our redress processes, which is the focus of this stage of hearings, but also any other recommendations made so that we can best help those harmed while in our care in the past, and to ensure safety for all vulnerable people accessing our services today.

Key Contact Information