From courtroom to fale: the Abuse in State Care hearings move to Mangere

In a New Zealand first, the Pacific hearing over the next two weeks is taking place at Mangere's Fale o Samoa, in South Auckland. This is part of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into abuse in state care and faith-based institutions.

A Cook Island welcome turou called guests into the building. A group of women led the procession of more than two hundred people, waving leaves in time with the music.

Organisers quietly set out more chairs for the rows of people left standing, while students of Mangere College led the proceedings in song.

Kava was presented to Pacific leaders and dignitaries, including Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio.

The group was presented with large woven mats from Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, Tokelau, Tuvalu, Rotuma, Kiribati, Cook Islands and Niue.

One of the mats had been custom made for today by expert tivaevae weaver, Tukua Turia.

The fine mats will remain in place for two weeks while 23 witnesses take the stand, then returned to their communities.

"The fale literally translates to 'home' ", says commissioner Ali'imuamua Sandra Alofivae. She has been part of other hearings in the hearing, but says this venue is significant.

"The Fale, beyond merely a physical space, provides a culturally and spiritually save environment to help survivors come home. In light of the survivors' words which we are hearing, it is about them reclaiming a part of themselves that has been lost as a result of abuse in care."

The hearing, titled Tulou - Our Pacific Voices; Tatala e Pulonga is a Tongan metaphor meaning 'lifting the dark cloud', and is a reference to lifting the veil of darkness that often comes with abuse.

Pacific Investigations team counsel assist Semisi Pohiva says the evidence given will be used to inform the government on future decisions.

"They are so courageous and brave in gently lifting the Tatala e Pulonga to make it a safe place ... so we can stomp out any of this behaviour. We are looking at what is happening historically so we can be informed and we will produce a report to inform the government going into the future."