Survivors of abuse from the Pacific community began giving evidence before the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry yesterday at the  public hearing, 'Tulou - Our Pacific Voices: Tatala e Pulonga' which runs until the 30th July at the Fale o Samoa in Mangere, Auckland, which opened with a traditional Pacific ceremony.

‘Tulou - Our Pacific Voices: Tatala e Pulonga’ is the first of its kind not only for New Zealand, but for Pacific survivors, Pacific communities and the wider Pacific region. 

Over the next 2 weeks, everyday we’ll be sharing some of the witness testimonies or expert evidence.

Today we begin with Tania Sharkey Lead Counsel Assisting for the Pacific Investigation in the Royal Commission of Inquiry: Abuse in Care who gave the opening statement.