not been in State care,204 and this figure was consistently higher than that of non-Māori in State care over the same time.205 184. The Royal Commission has also recently heard evidence from Māori and tangata whaikaha gang members about their experiences with the State care system.206 At an inter-gang hui held in February 2023, participants spoke about being removed from their whānau, hapū, iwi, and cultural foundations by the State, and gave accounts of extensive physical, mental, and sexual abuse they suffered in its care.207 A recuring theme across groups was the direct impact this abuse and disconnection had in their future involvement with gangs and the support systems, protection, and sense of belonging they provided.208 The Royal Commission noted figures by the Waitangi Tribunal estimating that about 80-90% of Mongrel Mob and Black Power gang members have been wards of the State. 185. These findings reinforce conclusions made in the Royal Commission’s interim report209 which noted the over-representation of Māori in State care, and the evidence that the discriminatory attitudes of officials, police and the public towards Māori contributed to this. It outlines the extent of abuse and neglect suffered by those in State care over many decades, and the ongoing impacts for survivors and their whānau. For Māori this has also included disconnection from whānau, hapū and iwi and an undermining of their Māori identity. Final report 186. In December 2021, the Royal Commission released a 500-page interim report210 detailing the difficulties faced by hundreds of thousands of people who had been abused as children in state and faith based-care, and their efforts to obtain redress which were rejected “time and again”. 187. The Royal Commission was due to complete its final report in June 2023, following an initial extension of five months. However, the deadline has now been extended to March 2024. The Minister responsible for the Royal Commission has said that a public apology to survivors would be delayed until after the inquiry’s final report is delivered, but the extension would not affect work to establish a new redress system for survivors. New redress system for survivors and immediate measures 188. The Government has agreed a high-level design of a new redress system would be developed by a survivor-led design group supported by an advisory group drawn from survivor communities. Ten members have been appointed to the Design Group and 16 members to the 204 Ibid., at 12. Ibid., at 9. 206 Abuse in Care “Gangs’ first-ever joint hui to discuss State’s role in their formation, Royal Commission invited” (20 February 2023) available at https://www.abuseincare.org.nz/our-progress/news/gangs-first-ever-joint-hui-to-discussstates-role-in-their-formation-royal-commission-invited/. 207 Katie Doyle “Gangs come together for Royal Commission Abuse in Care hui” Stuff NZ (21 February 2023) available at https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/131283038/gangs-come-together-for-royal-commission-abuse-in-care-hui. 208Abuse in Care “Gangs’ first-ever joint hui to discuss State’s role in their formation, Royal Commission invited” (20 February 2023) available at https://www.abuseincare.org.nz/our-progress/news/gangs-first-ever-joint-hui-to-discussstates-role-in-their-formation-royal-commission-invited/. 209 Abuse in Care “Tāwharautia: Pūrongo o te Wā - Interim Report” (2020) available at https://www.abuseincare.org.nz/our-progress/library/v/194/tawharautia-purongo-o-te-wa-interim-report. 210 Ibid. 205 43