Presented to the Governor-General by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions, June 2024
Released, 24 July 2024, along with Whanaketia, the final report

Te Whakapakari Youth Programme (Whakapakari) was started by John da Silva in 1977 on Aotea, Great Barrier Island funded by the department of Māori Affairs. Although he was not Māori, it was promoted as a Maori [sic] Outdoor Pursuit Programme Adventure using the environment and outdoor activities to de-programme youth from drug abuse, develop self-esteem and learn skills, Maoritanga and gain confidence.

It was a geographically isolated ‘boot camp’, with harsh conditions[1] that emphasised survival skills, military style discipline, subservience, self-sufficiency and hard physical labour. The young people on the programme endured what has been described as cruel and inhumane treatment.[2] This environment which permitted abuse to occur was not kaupapa Māori and placed rangatahi Māori at risk. (From the website).

This is one of the case studies published by the Royal Commission throughout the course of the Inquiry, which investigate abuse and neglect in a number of State and faith-based institutions across Aotearoa New Zealand. There are seven case studies in all. (From the website).

Record #8820