State Abuse Survivors’ Stories Unveiled in New Documentary

“The Stolen Children of Aotearoa” confronts decades of institutional neglect

A powerful new documentary, “The Stolen Children of Aotearoa,” brings to light the profound suffering of survivors of New Zealand’s state care institutions. Journalist Aaron Smale, who has dedicated over a decade to this issue, reflects on the immense challenge of capturing such a vast and painful history on film.

A Story Too Big to Tell

The film tackles the harrowing reality that over 200,000 children experienced abuse while in state custody. This systemic abuse is intricately linked to colonisation, Māori urbanisation, increased incarceration rates, gang involvement, and a sustained government effort to conceal these events.

Aaron Smale acknowledges the near impossibility of conveying the full scope of this trauma. “The story is simply too big to be conveyed in any form,” he stated.

Despite the enormity of the task, Smale and the team at Awa Films have created a nearly two-hour documentary featuring over 20 survivors, alongside advocates and experts.

Smale, primarily a print journalist and photographer, found that visual and auditory storytelling offered a unique power. His previous work, including extensive writing and a podcast on the Lake Alice adolescent unit, highlighted the limitations of conveying such profound experiences through text alone.

The Agony of Selection

The filmmaking process was described as arduous, with the sheer volume of compelling survivor testimonies presenting a significant challenge. “It was agonising making decisions about what to put in which inevitably means a decision about what to leave out,” Smale explained.

Each story shared represents thousands of others, many of whom did not survive. The documentary honours those who have since passed, including at least two individuals featured on screen.

Avoiding “Trauma Porn”

A critical ethical consideration was to present the horrific accounts of abuse without sensationalizing them, avoiding what Smale termed “trauma porn.” The aim was to convey the gravity of the experiences while respecting the humanity of the survivors.

The film includes voices from Māori, Pasifika, and Pākehā communities, highlighting that while Māori were disproportionately targeted, working-class families across ethnicities also suffered under these policies.

A National Shame Ignored

Smale questions why New Zealand’s reckoning with state abuse is occurring so much later and with less global recognition compared to similar historical events in Canada and Australia. He also points to a disconnect in public discourse regarding the link between childhood abuse and later societal issues like crime and incarceration.

In 2022, the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry reported that approximately 150,000 children entered state care between 1950 and 2019, with significant numbers experiencing abuse. The final report highlighted systemic failures and ongoing harm.

The journalist criticizes the historical silencing of victims by the Crown, suggesting it was a tactic to avoid significant legal and financial liability. He emphasizes that the cover-up, involving lawyers, bureaucrats, and politicians, is as troubling as the abuse itself.

A particularly poignant moment at a festival screening involved the appearance of the late Moana Jackson, evoking a collective sigh of recognition and affection from the audience. The documentary is dedicated to his memory.

Smale recalls Moana Jackson‘s observation: “Never mind tikanga. The Crown can’t even obey its own laws.” He urges viewers to consider this perspective when reflecting on the film and political discourse surrounding justice and accountability.

The Dignity of Being Heard

Smale emphasizes that a primary goal of his work, including this documentary, is to grant survivors the dignity of being heard. For years, their voices were silenced, their accounts dismissed, even when the Crown possessed evidence corroborating their experiences.

The survivors featured are described as both dignified and heroic. Smale hopes the documentary, despite its inherent limitations, serves as a fitting tribute to them and the countless others they represent.

Watch “The Stolen Children of Aotearoa” on TVNZ+.