The Navigator Service — a survivor-led pilot programme to support the continued mental health and wellbeing of Dilworth survivors is launched.
Media Advisory
28 February 2025
Community Acknowledgement and Apology Livestream
On Saturday 1 March 2025, Dilworth Trust will formally acknowledge and apologise to survivors and its community for the historical abuse that occurred at Dilworth School.
It is a private occasion for survivors of abuse, their families and whānau, and other members of the Dilworth community.
The safety and confidentiality of survivors is paramount. That is why any media requests to attend, or interview Trustees or School staff will be declined.
However, the Community Acknowledgement and Apology will be livestreamed from this website where a video will also be posted afterwards. Media are welcome to view the livestream.
After completion of its delivery, media are welcome to use clips from the livestream to support a news report. Permission is not granted for broadcasting of the livestream in its entirety.
The purpose of the Community Acknowledgement and Apology is to acknowledge the decisions, actions and failures that led to several decades of abuse at Dilworth School and the harm it caused, and to apologise to the survivors, their families and whānau, and other members of the Dilworth community.
ENDS
Contact information:
About Dilworth School, Dilworth Trust and Dilworth Response
Dilworth is predominantly a boarding school. In 2025, a day school option was made available to years 7 and 8, and from 2026, there will also be day school places at Year 9. All 500 Dilworth students receive full scholarships.The Will of founder James Dilworth stipulated that his estate be used to establish and operate a school to provide an education for young men from families whose circumstances may prevent them from fulfilling their potential. Today, Dilworth School supports students to achieve their own personal excellence and to flourish in life.
Dilworth School is responsible for the safety, care, education and development of all current and future students. Dilworth students are offered academic, sporting, cultural and social opportunities, as well as a strong pastoral care system and quality teaching. In September 2022, Dilworth was the first school in New Zealand to gain Child Wise Accreditation, reinforcing its commitment to care for the safety of its current and future students. https://www.dilworth.school.nz/home
The Dilworth Trust is a charitable trust. The trustees maintain and expand the Trust’s assets in accordance with James Dilworth’s Will, they oversee the selection of students and they have governance oversight of Dilworth School. Revenue generated by the Trust’s properties and other investments funds the operating costs and future growth of Dilworth School. Dilworth School is not responsible for managing or making decisions about investing or spending the Trust endowment.
Dilworth Response oversees the Dilworth Trust’s commitment to fully, openly and honestly confronting the issue of historical sexual and other abuse that occurred at Dilworth School and to support former students, who were victims of this abuse, to heal. https://dilworthresponse.org.nz/