New Zealand's Catholic Church apologises to abuse victims at royal commission hearing

Cardinal John Dew said he would offer no excuses' for the actions of bishops and congregational leaders

New Zealand's Catholic Church has formally apologised to the survivors of abuse within the church and said its systems and culture must change.

Cardinal John Dew, the Roman Catholic archbishop of Wellington and Metropolitan of New Zealand, made the apology on Friday at the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care on behalf of the bishops and congregational leaders in New Zealand.