A Catholic order of nuns has heard complaints of abuse from 18 people raised in their Christchurch orphanages and is now opening its chequebook.
Fifteen women and three men have complained to the Sisters of Nazareth about cruelty during their early years at Nazareth House in Sydenham and St Joseph's Home
in Halswell.
The complaints span several decades from the 1930s.
Mediation - involving nuns from Australia, complainants from throughout New Zealand, and lawyers for both sides - began in Christchurch a fortnight ago.
Complainants have asked the order for compensation, in cash or cars, or to have their mortgages and other debts paid.
One man has already reached an undisclosed settlement with the nuns, and others are in final negotiations.
Many more complainants are waiting in the wings for another mediation round next year.
A joint statement from the lawyers said the hearing stage of the latest mediation had finished and negotiations were being finalised. The process should be completed next week.
Christchurch law firm Grant Cameron Associates confirmed that one of its male clients had reached a settlement and the other was close.
"The nuns have been very open-minded and listened closely to what the men had to say," said lawyer Patrick McPherson.
"They have been constructive in responding to the men's complaints, and the clients are very happy with the way the sisters listened to them."
His firm has 10 clients waiting for the second mediation next year.
One female complainant in the latest round, who alleges physical abuse by the nuns, said the order had agreed to "make our life better for what time we have left".
"The nuns are also willing to pay for counselling."
The mediation is being run by Christine Grice, the Law Society's immediate past-president.
In Australia, the order has paid more than NZ$1.1 million to former residents of a Brisbane orphanage.
Victims alleged they were raped by nuns and priests, and forced to eat faeces, vomit and rotting fish while in the orphanage's care.
In making the payments, the sisters did not admit any wrongdoing.
- NZPA
