Marist Brothers Public Apology Update

The Marist Brothers Public Apology will be held on Saturday, 9 May 2026 at the Hyundai Marine Sports Centre, Auckland - 8–10 Tāmaki Drive, Ōrākei, Auckland 1071, New Zealand. Free parking is available on site.

The formal apology will begin at 12:00 noon and finish around 13:30 pm. Everyone attending is invited to stay and share food/kai, connect with the resources or ask questions with the professionals available. The event will conclude at 3:30 pm.

Doors Open

11:30 am

Mihi Whakatau and Welcome

12:00

A welcome that acknowledges mana whenua and the land on which the event is held and recognises the richness of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Voices of Survivors

Survivors will each share a part of their story, their life and their experiences.

Moment of Silence and Reflection

Attendees will be invited to share a moment of silence to reflect on their experiences and the survivors who have shared.

Acknowledgement and Apology

Br Darren Burge, Provincial for Star of the Sea, will share an apology on behalf of the Marist Brothers FMS for survivors of abuse in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Moment of Reflection and Honouring Survivors

Participants will be asked to draw their attention to the surrounding, the sea and the sounds of the water. Those who choose can interact with the water features to honour survivors who were not able to attend, or who are no longer with us.

Corrective Measures

Br Peter Horide, Provincial Delegate for Aotearoa New Zealand will share information about the Marist Brothers commitment to Survivors, Safeguarding Support and Redress.

Survivor Closing

A Survivor will share their response and experiences

Poroporoaki - Closing Karakia

Food/Kai & Resourcing

Kai (food) will be available on site (13:00 – 15:00). There will also be opportunity to discuss or gather information about support, reporting and redress.

Survivor Public Apology and Redress Committee

Members of the Survivor Public Apology and Redress (SPAR) committee includes Jennifer Annan, Frances Tagaloa, Gerard Hoffman, Kevin Lundon and Glo Ramsey. Other survivors and individuals have helped along the way.

Each member brings a unique lived experience of sexual abuse, perpetrated within a faith-based context, Marist Brother or within family.

These members of the committee were chosen by Survivors to offer their own experiences and expertise. Their input and contributions have been extremely valuable and fundamental in ensuring the day is a space for Survivors to have the opportunity to feel acknowledged and validated for the harm they experienced.

Support on the Day

Survivors, whanau and friends, your safety, wellbeing, care and support for this event is a top priority. Feel free to take breaks when you need to, stay connected to safe people, do what brings you comfort, limit what feels harmful and seek support if you need it.

The SPAR committee will be available on the day and will be identified by a blue colored lanyard.

Independent Counsellors will be available and identifiable by a purple colored lanyard. If at any point during the event you need support or time away, wellbeing support will be available, along with a quiet space for you to use.

This apology is for Survivors, and we warmly welcome you, your whānau, and friends.

The event has been shaped with input from Survivors to ensure it is respectful, safe, and supportive.

As this space includes people with lived experience of abuse, we ask all attendees to speak with care and compassion. Please be mindful of the language you use and the level of detail you share, avoiding graphic descriptions that may be distressing or triggering for others attending. The wellbeing of all Survivors, their whanau and friends comes first.

Considerations

Marist Brothers will be in attendance in casual attire.

There is no obligation to engage with anyone, or the resources made or to report. Please take the information made available with you, if you choose.

Photography and Use of Media

The event will be recorded live streamed for those who do not wish to attend in person. Care will be taken to capture the stage and speakers only. We ask that no photos are taken of any other attendees. If any images are taken that capture individuals, we ask that they are not shared without their consent.

A spokesperson for the Marist Brothers will be available for questions after the event, in a separate area away from the apology space.

Travel Support

The Marist Brothers will contribute to travel needs for those who wish to attend. Please contact PSO@pacificdps.com for information on available support.

The Venue – A Survivor Space

Survivor artwork will be displayed around the venue, and the Artist may be on hand to discuss their work.

Raising a Complaint on the Day

There will be resources available and people to talk to for advice on how to share a complaint on the day.

Redress

There will be resources available and people to talk to for advice about Marist Brothers redress and revisiting previous settlements.

The Marist Brothers redress continues to be developed and will include a holistic response. It will also support any wider catholic church redress when available. Details and more information about Marist Brothers redress will be shared on the day with the apology.

Further Questions

If you have any further questions regarding the Marist Brothers public apology, please share them with Jonathan and Carlene at PSO@pacificdps.com and we will do our best to answer them in our 24 April update.

We will provide more detailed information about the structure of the day, including timing and the format of the apology once these details have been confirmed.

-Professional Standards Office