By Andrew McRae of RNZ
Police have acknowledged failings in investigations into complaints made over abuse in the adolescent unit at the Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital in the 1970s.
An apology has been given at the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care in Auckland.
Survivors from Lake Alice say they were subjected to electric shock treatment and the drug paraldehyde, both used as a punishment.
Detective superintendent Thomas Fitzgerald, who is the Criminal Investigation Branch director, said police did not give sufficient priority and resources to investigating allegations of criminal offending in the unit.