A report for the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-Based Institutions, August 2019
Released November 2023

This independent report highlights the long-running social and economic forces that lie behind the placement of tamariki into care in Aotearoa.

The report finds that, when looking into the appalling treatment of tamariki both inside and outside institutions, it’s tempting to seek explanations within an individual family or whānau. However, it notes other factors also play a huge role and are much harder to perceive.

Cracks in the Dam tries to show that these forces act on families and whānau like the weight of water and gravity on a dam, creating cracks that build up over a long time but may not become visible until the last minute. This metaphor speaks to a worldview that sees actions as being the result of subtle, interconnected social forces.

The report seeks to understand why tamariki were placed in care, noting that placements are strongly influenced by wider forces. Social, cultural and economic structures exist outside individuals’ direct control, and can greatly raise the risk that tamariki will be placed into care. (From the website). Record #831