Providing support for those affected by abuse in state care.
At NZCAST, we support survivors of abuse in state care with services that focus on healing, connection, and practical guidance.
We believe education, community, and personalised support can create real change in people’s lives.
If you or someone you know has been harmed in state care, please reach out. You don’t have to walk this journey alone.
Support Services
Our aftercare services bring together the key building blocks needed for genuine healing and reintegration for survivors and their whānau.
We draw on our collective lived experience to offer tailored support that honours each survivor’s unique journey.
If you have feedback that could help us improve our organisation, we’d love to hear from you.
Community
We are a collective of survivors, and we understand the culture, language, and experiences of those who have been through state care.
We build community through our wānanga (gatherings), our Facebook page, and the events we hold across Aotearoa.
You can view our upcoming wānanga here.
Mental Health Support
We help survivors navigate mental health services, claims processes, and other supports. We act as a bridge into existing services and make it easier to access the resources offered by government agencies.
If you need help finding a therapist or connecting with support, please reach out. We also offer peer support through our wānanga and survivor events.
See a list of support services here.
Advice & Guidance
We provide advice and guidance for survivors from people who have lived through the same experiences.
Support after leaving state care is limited, and many survivors end up navigating other government systems on their own.
If you need advice or someone to talk to, please reach out to us.
Making a Historic Claim
We understand that making a claim can be an important step toward closure for many survivors, so we have created a step-by-step guide on requesting your files, making a claim, and reporting abuse.
See information on lodging a historic claim.
Advocacy
We advocate for survivors and ensure their voices, and the voices of their whānau, are heard at both community and national levels.
We also push for systemic change, working at a policy level to address the root causes of abuse in state care.