Having a chuckle at being honoured by a king whose agencies of the system he has fought all his life was abuse survivor Toni Jarvis’ (Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngā Puhi) initial reaction when he heard he had received a King’s Service Medal.
"It’s quite ironic that King Charles is acknowledging me," he said.
"I’ve been fighting all my life the very agencies of his system."
The 64-year-old stressed the battle was always bigger than himself and he was not alone in carrying the weight of the kaupapa.
"It wasn’t just me. I want to acknowledge my morehu [survivors of state care] whānau, brothers and sisters, survivors. They dedicated their time and their lives to the cause."
Mr Jarvis has engaged with Oranga Tamariki, the Ministry of Social Development and other agencies to bring awareness to issues relating to abuse in care and has used his experience to make submissions to agencies.
Drawing on his experiences at Cherry Farm, Hokio Beach School and Holdsworth Boys’ Home, Mr Jarvis has provided evidence to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions.
He has contributed to the Crown Response Unit and has been involved in other aspects of the inquiry’s work.
Mr Jarvis has advocated to ensure the response to the inquiry accounts for the concerns and interests of all survivors, including survivors of abuse experienced in psychiatric hospitals.
"I hope for a better system, that protects our children. I prayed that we would move from the dark into the light. There’s still work to do."
