The New Zealand government has announced a significant financial commitment of $774 million in Budget 2025 to reform the redress and care systems for survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care. This decision comes in the wake of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care's findings, which highlighted systemic failures and recommended comprehensive reforms to address the grievances of survivors.

Minister Erica Stanford emphasized the government's focus on delivering immediate support to survivors by enhancing the existing redress system rather than establishing a new entity, as initially recommended by the Royal Commission. The budget will increase the average redress payment for new claims from $19,000 to $30,000, aiming to provide quicker and more efficient justice to those affected. However, this approach has sparked mixed reactions among survivors, with some viewing it as a missed opportunity for more substantial systemic change.

Alongside financial redress, the government plans to invest in preventive measures to safeguard against future abuse within the care system. These include improving record-keeping and access to records, which were identified as critical issues during the inquiry. An independent review scheduled for 2027 will assess the effectiveness of these reforms, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement in the care ecosystem.

The decision to forgo a new compensation scheme in favor of bolstering the current system reflects the government's challenging balance between immediate action and long-term structural changes. While the increased funding and streamlined processes mark a step forward, the debate over the best path to justice for survivors of abuse in care continues, underscoring the complexity of addressing historical injustices while preventing future harm.

Kilcoo secured their place in Down football history on Sunday, capturing an unprecedented seventh consecutive Senior Football Championship title with a 1-17 to 1-11 victory over Carryduff at Pairc Esler. The Magpies delivered their strongest performance of the championship when it mattered most, with Paul Devlin's first-half penalty goal providing crucial separation in a hard-fought contest that saw the throw-in time pushed back to 5pm following a pitch inspection.

The match, originally scheduled for 3:30pm, saw Kilcoo demonstrate the championship experience that has defined their remarkable 12-title run over 13 seasons. Devlin's 22nd-minute penalty strike down the middle proved decisive, with the player explaining his calculated approach: "It was a big moment in the game and it needed to go in, so I didn't want to put it in the corner and the keeper has a chance if diving. I just thought I wanted to hit it hard."

Carryduff, making their first final appearance since losing to Kilcoo in the 2020 decider, mounted a second-half rally but ultimately fell short of claiming what would have been their inaugural Frank O'Hare Cup. The South Belfast club had powered past Burren in the semi-final with their full contingent available, but couldn't overcome Kilcoo's championship pedigree despite showing improved form from their previous final appearance five years earlier.

Devlin expressed satisfaction with the victory amid external skepticism, noting "it's nice to see that people want Kilcoo to fall" while emphasizing the team's resilience. "This one is sweet with how the game played out and the build-up where we were doubted in this year's championship," he told BBC Sport NI. "It just shows the character of this team. Big teams play well in big games and we have that experience to put in those big performances." The win solidifies Kilcoo's status as the dominant force in Down football, achieving a landmark that had eluded them when Burren denied their seventh consecutive title bid in 2018.