Key Takeaways:
- The New Zealand Government has been criticized for its response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, which found that at least 200,000 people were abused in state and faith-based care.
- There are at least 4000 unmarked graves linked to institutions, with some discovered by chance, including 500 at Tokanui in Southland and 1700 at Porirua Cemetery.
- The Government has no intention of commissioning an independent investigation into the unmarked graves, despite a recommendation from the Royal Commission.
- Advocates are concerned that the lack of investigation will prevent the truth from coming out and will cause further trauma to survivors and their families.
- The Government has allocated $700,000 for local authorities to memorialize unmarked graves, but some argue that this is not enough and that a more comprehensive investigation is needed.
Introduction to the Issue
The handling of unmarked graves in New Zealand has been a contentious issue, with many whānau feeling let down by the Government’s response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care. The commission found that at least 200,000 people were abused in state and faith-based care, and there are at least 4000 unmarked graves linked to these institutions. Some of these graves were discovered by chance, including 500 at Tokanui in Southland, which were found by a woman riding her horse in 1991. Porirua Cemetery has 1700 unmarked graves, most of which are believed to be psychiatric patients.
The Need for Investigation
The Royal Commission recommended an independent investigation into the 4000 unmarked burials, but the Government has confirmed that it has no intention of commissioning such an investigation. This decision has been met with criticism from advocates, who argue that it is essential to uncover the truth about the deaths and to provide closure for the families of those who were abused. Andrew McMinn, whose great-great uncle and former All Black Archie McMinn is buried in an unmarked grave, said that the Government’s decision was "just a slap in the face" and that it felt like they were "stealing history" from these people.
Government Response
The Government has argued that local authorities are the appropriate organizations to be undertaking the work of investigating and memorializing the unmarked graves. However, emails obtained by 1News showed that the Minister’s office had initially said that decisions about an independent investigation had not been made yet, only to later confirm that the Government did not intend to establish such an investigation. This has led to accusations of "smoke and mirrors" and a lack of transparency from the Government. Instead, the Government has allocated $700,000 for local authorities to apply for grants to memorialize unmarked graves, but so far, only one council has been allocated money.
Consequences of Inaction
The lack of investigation into the unmarked graves has significant consequences for the survivors of abuse and their families. Keith Wiffen, an abuse in care survivor, said that the institutions and homes had a "culture of serious abuse and neglect" and that it was essential to investigate how many deaths came about through suspicious state circumstances. The failure to do so has led to a "state of denialism" and a lack of accountability for those responsible. Furthermore, the lack of investigation has caused extreme trauma to survivors, who are left with unanswered questions about the fate of their loved ones.
International Comparison
The issue of unmarked graves is not unique to New Zealand, and other countries have taken steps to address the problem. In Canada, an investigation into unmarked graves at residential schools uncovered hundreds more than initially thought, and the country’s Special Interlocutor for Unmarked Graves, Kimberly Murray, has said that countries refusing to support such investigations are in breach of international law. This highlights the need for New Zealand to take a more comprehensive approach to addressing the issue of unmarked graves and to provide justice and closure for the survivors of abuse and their families.
Personal Stories
The issue of unmarked graves is not just a statistical problem but also a personal one, with many families affected by the lack of investigation and memorialization. Diana McKay is hoping to see a memorial built at Waitati in Otago, where a family member, a former Orokonui Hospital psychiatric patient, is buried in an unmarked grave. She said that many people were "just put in hospitals and probably forgotten about, and that’s why they end up in unmarked graves." The lack of investigation and memorialization has caused significant trauma to these families, who are left with unanswered questions about the fate of their loved ones.
Conclusion
The handling of unmarked graves in New Zealand is a complex and sensitive issue that requires a comprehensive and transparent approach. The Government’s decision not to commission an independent investigation into the unmarked graves has been met with criticism from advocates, who argue that it is essential to uncover the truth and provide closure for the survivors of abuse and their families. The allocation of $700,000 for local authorities to memorialize unmarked graves is a step in the right direction, but it is not enough to address the scale and complexity of the problem. A more comprehensive investigation is needed to provide justice and closure for those affected and to ensure that the truth is finally revealed.