The Inquiry worked with four Advisory Groups and nine Report Reference Groups. These groups provided the Inquiry with support, guidance and advice.

Advisory groups

Survivor Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE)
Kaitohutohu Toiora

The Survivor Advisory Group of Experts was set up in 2019 to represent survivors of abuse and neglect in State and faith-based care.

SAGE provided the Inquiry with guidance and support on engaging with survivors and their representative organisations. SAGE members were appointed to ensure diversity and representation, and for their skills and experience. 

There were six members of SAGE when the Inquiry closed: 

• Moeapulu Frances Tagaloa  (Samoa)
• Jim Goodwin 
• Rūpene Amato (Samoa, Ngāti Kahungunu, Te Aitanga ā Māhaki, Ngāti Mākoro)
• Keith Wiffin 
• Tu Chapman (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Awa)
• Gary Williams (Ngāti Porou)

Te Taumata

Te Taumata provided the Inquiry with strategic advice to ensure it implemented an effective te Tiriti o Waitangi-based approach. Te Taumata also provided guidance and advice on the Inquiry’s engagements with Māori.  

There were five members of Te Taumata when the Inquiry closed:

• Prue Kapua, Chair (Ngāti Whakaue, Te Arawa, Ngāti Kahungunu)
• Liz Mellish (Te Atiawa, Taranaki, Ngāti Ruanui)
• Shirley Ikkala (Ngāti Whātua ki Ōrakei, Cook Islands)
• Eugene Ryder (Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Awa)
• Haimona Waititi (Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Ngāti Porou, Kai Tahu)

Royal Commission Forum

The Royal Commission Forum was a group of survivors, advocates and academics that formed independently of the Inquiry. From late 2021, the Inquiry began meeting regularly with the Royal Commission Forum and sought their feedback and advice.

Te Ara Takatū

Te Ara Takatū was a group of Māori-led survivors, kaupapa Māori advocates and academics that formed independently of the Inquiry. From late 2021, the Inquiry began meeting regularly with Te Ara Takatū and sought their feedback and advice.

Reference Groups

The Inquiry’s Report Reference Group members included experts, academics, researchers, and those with lived experience. Members had extensive networks in their respective areas. Collectively they brought knowledge and expertise and provided a range of personal and professional experience to the work of the Inquiry.

• Disability Reference Group 
• Mental Health Reference Group 
• Deaf Reference Group 
• Pacific Reference Group 
• Rangatahi Reference Group
• Takatāpui, Rainbow and MVPFAFF+ Reference Group
• Social Welfare Reference Group 
• Faith Reference Group 
• Lake Alice Reference Group