Govt Finalizes Redress Plan for Survivors of Torture at Psychiatric Hospital

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care revealed that many of the 362 children placed in the Lake Alice Unit did not suffer from any mental illness.

The Government has announced a comprehensive redress framework for survivors of torture at the Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital Child and Adolescent Unit, where children were subjected to inhumane and illegal treatment between 1972 and 1978.

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care revealed that many of the 362 children placed in the Lake Alice Unit did not suffer from any mental illness. Instead, they were subjected to unmodified electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and paraldehyde injections—procedures used as punishment and emotional control rather than medical treatment.

“These actions amount to torture under the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment,” said Lead Coordination Minister Erica Stanford.

Five years after the United Nations Committee Against Torture found New Zealand in breach of its obligations, the Government has outlined the details of its redress program, which includes financial compensation, a formal apology, and access to rehabilitative services.

Components of Redress

The redress plan includes three key elements:

One-off financial compensation: Survivors can opt for an expedited payment of $150,000 or choose an individual payment process where compensation will be determined by an independent arbiter.

A new written apology: This apology will explicitly acknowledge the torture inflicted upon survivors during their time at the Lake Alice Unit.

Access to support services: Survivors will be provided with assistance such as financial advice and rehabilitative services tailored to their individual needs.

Up to $22.68 million has been allocated to cover payments and associated operating costs.

Flexible Options for Survivors

The redress framework was designed to address the diverse needs of survivors.

“For some survivors, certainty and speed are priorities, while others prefer an individualized process. This approach respects those differences and allows survivors to choose what suits them best,” said Ms. Stanford.

Survivors will have until 30 April 2025 to opt for the individual payment process and until 30 September 2025 for the expedited payment option. All payments are expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

Independent Oversight

The individual payment process will be overseen by an independent arbiter, whose appointment and terms of reference will be finalized by Cabinet in early 2025. The arbiter will consult survivors’ legal representatives to establish fair principles for determining individualized compensation.

Additional Support Services

In addition to financial redress, survivors will have access to support services, including financial advice and assistance navigating entitlements. Officials have been directed to review gaps in existing support systems, with a report due by March 2025.

Looking Ahead

These measures are distinct from the broader redress system for survivors of abuse in care, which is expected to progress next year.

“I commend the courage and persistence of survivors, their families, advocates, and the Royal Commission of Inquiry for their unwavering fight for justice,” said Ms. Stanford.

This redress initiative is a milestone in acknowledging the systemic failures that allowed these atrocities to occur and represents a commitment to addressing the historical harm done to children in state care.