This omnibus Government bill makes legislative changes to improve safety and wellbeing for children, young people, and adults in care, in response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care. It was enacted as the Responding to Abuse in Care Legislation Amendment Act 2025.
This is an omnibus bill — a single bill amending several laws at once — intended to improve the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and adults in state and faith-based care. It amends the Children's Act 2014 to bar people with equivalent serious overseas convictions from the care workforce; the Crimes Act 1961 to make clear that disability is covered by the "vulnerable adult" duty of care; the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 to remove strip-search powers over children in secure residences and require individually approved search plans; and the Public Records Act 2005 to improve survivors' access to their own records.
It is the Government's response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care, whose findings documented widespread historic abuse. Supporters call it an important step that strengthens protections and vetting for people in care. Critics, including some survivor advocates, argue it is piecemeal — implementing only part of the Royal Commission's recommendations and leaving broader redress and systemic reform still to be addressed.
See the Parliament.nz ↗ site for the full bill.