NEW ZEALAND COLLECTIVE OF
ABUSED IN STATE CARE CHARITABLE TRUST
NZCAST
Our Story
Bridging Hope and Healing in New Zealand
NZCAST was founded in 2019, and began with a simple, yet profound realisation: individuals who have experienced state care in New Zealand carry with them unique challenges and needs that often go unaddressed.
The stories of these individuals – marked by resilience amidst adversity – highlighted a gap in support and understanding within our communities.
We aim to help anyone who has been a survivor of state care or faith-based care. Offering a more
holistic approach to support and community.
Supporting Victims
Our purpose is to offer unwavering support to individuals who have experienced trauma in state care. Through compassionate guidance and tailored assistance, we aim to empower survivors on their journey towards healing and resilience.
At NZCAST, we are committed to fostering a safe and nurturing environment where every voice is heard, and every story matters. Together, we strive to create a community built on empathy, understanding, and solidarity. Join us in our mission to advocate for justice, promote healing, and ensure that no survivor ever feels alone in their path to recovery.
Our top priority is the wellbeing of survivors through education, advocacy and direct support.
Why Us?
Survivors often face many challenges, including lower education, higher rates of unemployment and mental health issues.
There is very little support for survivors once they exit state care, with many of us ending up in other government systems.
We are a collective of survivors. We understand the culture and speak the language of survivors.
Challenges in the State Care System
The New Zealand State Care system has historically faced many challenges, with thousands of children being placed into care. The Royal Commission into Abuse in Care identified that around 200,000 children were placed in state care between 1950 and 1999. This is an ongoing issue, and as of 2020, there were approximately 6,300 children in care.
Māori children are disproportionately represented in state care, making up over 60% of those placed. Survivors of the state care system often face significant challenges, including lower levels of education, higher rates of unemployment, and mental health issues.
Unfortunately, there is limited support available for survivors once they exit the system, and many find themselves relying on other government services, continuing the cycle of disadvantage.
What we Do Differently
We are survivor-led and designed
We know how to reach abuse survivors and they trust us to help them with their grieving and taking the lead in re-designing their own lives. We do this by leveraging our intimate knowledge of state care (being survivors ourselves), connections to marae and communities around New Zealand. Our facilitators are deeply embedded within the communities we serve and we ensure we are visible to these communities.
Aftercare done differently
There are significant gaps in existing support services for adult survivors of abuse in state care that NZCAST fills. We do this by ensuring a range of continuous care avenues with the goal of building a sense of comm unity for and with survivors. Alongside this, we have built an active peer-to-peer support network on social media and offer one-to-one follow-ups.
We open the door for Māori who were the cohort most harmed
While our services are available to survivors from all cultural backgrounds, there is a focus on serving Māori and Pasifika communities, which have been disproportionately affected by systemic issues in state care.
There is a cultural dynamic at play that cannot be ignored and this has rippled through to our prison population being 51% Māori.
By understanding both the culture and language of survivors and the importance of whakapapa Māori, we weave these two elements together.
Services we provide
Our approach is multi-faceted, offering a range of services tailored to meet the diverse needs of our participants.
Advocacy and Empowerment
Our approach empowers survivors to make meaningful changes in their lives, fostering long-term personal development and reducing reliance on detrimental coping mechanisms.
Making Change Possible
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide a comprehensive support system for state care victims, helping them heal, grow, and thrive.
We believe in the power of education, community connection, and personalised care to bring about positive change in the lives of those we serve.
Our Vision
We envision a world where every individual, regardless of their past experiences in state care, has the opportunity to live a fulfilling and empowered life. A world where they can access the support, resources, and community needed to navigate their journey towards healing and self-discovery.
Our Commitment
We are committed to creating a safe, respectful, and nurturing environment for all. Our work is grounded in the principles of cultural sensitivity, inclusivity, and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by those who have been in state care.
It is time we take back our power.
Meet Our Team
Dedicated individuals at NZCAST work tirelessly to support survivors of abuse in state care.
Led by Karl Tauri, our Chairman, the team is committed to providing a safe space for healing and empowerment.
Karl Tauri
Chairman
Karl is a seasoned facilitator through his lived life experiences, presenting and facilitating a spiritual well-being after care model of practice, Te Rakau O Te Ora - the tree of life.
Saskia Peel
Operations Manager
At NZCAST, leadership is about empathy and action. Together, we strive to create a better future for survivors. Join us in our mission to bring healing and justice to those affected by abuse in state care.
Penelope Tauri
Specilaised Navigator
Every member of our team plays a vital role in our collective journey. We are united in our commitment to making a positive impact and standing in solidarity with survivors. Together, we are NZCAST.