The Stolen Children of Aotearoa unearths a chilling chapter in New Zealand's history—one of systemic abuse in state care. Between 1950 and 2019, an estimated 250,000 children, many of whom were Māori, suffered at the hands of the state.

Led by veteran journalist Aaron Smale, this gripping documentary traces the origins of this atrocity—starting with the colonisation of Aotearoa, which stripped Māori of their language, culture, and land. Racism embedded within the system led to the forced removal of Māori children into foster care, homes, and borstals, where they were left to endure rampant abuse unchecked by authorities.

Survivors recount their haunting stories, their stolen childhoods, and the lifelong scars left by this trauma. Many young men who endured life in borstals later turned to gangs or spent their lives behind bars. 

The documentary also exposes the horrors of Lake Alice Hospital, where children were subjected to electroconvulsive therapy and drug-induced punishment—an act now recognized as torture.

The survivors’ fight for justice has been long and brutal, but after one of the country’s most extensive enquiries, the true scale of the abuse is now undeniable. As the documentary closes, the government issues an apology—but is it too late for justice to heal the wounds of Aotearoa’s stolen children?

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The Stolen Children of Aotearoa is premiering at the 2025 Māoriland Film Festival.
Friday March 28th, 1pm, Memorial Hall, Otaki.

The Stolen Children of Aotearoa will screen on Whakaata Māori on Monday, March 31st, 8.30pm and on Māori+ from April 1st, 2025.