**Warning** This livestream includes graphic descriptions of abuse. Well-being support is available via phone, text or email.

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Day 1

 Thursday 13 October

9.00 AM

Welcome and Opening Statements

1.30 PM (Approx.) 

GLORIAVALE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY

  • Howard Temple – Overseeing Shepherd of Gloriavale Christian Community
  • Rachel Stedfast – Acting Principal of Gloriavale Christian School

 

 Friday 14 October

 

No hearing sitting today

Day 2

Monday 17 October

9.00 AM

CATHOLIC EDUCATION - ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE SILVERSTREAM  

  • Fr Tim Duckworth - Society of Mary
  • Clare Couch – Chairperson, Board of Proprietors
  • Sean Mahony – Chairperson, School Board
  • Rob Ferreira – Rector

1.30 PM (Approx.)

THE DIOCESES AND CONGREGATIONS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH OF AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND  

  • Cardinal John Dew – Archbishop of Wellington, Apostolic Administrator of Diocese of Palmerston North and President New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference
  • Dr Paul Flanagan, Member of the National Safeguarding and Professional Standards Committee
  • Bishop Steve Lowe – Bishop of Auckland and Apostolic Administrator of Diocese of Hamilton
  • Bishop Patrick Dunn – Bishop Emeritus of Auckland
  • Sister Sue France – Congregational Leader, Nga Whaea Atawhai O Aotearoa Sisters of Mercy New Zealand. 

Day 3

Tuesday 18 October

9.00 AM

 

THE METHODIST CHURCH OF NEW ZEALAND (Contextual)  

  • Reverend Tara Tautari – General Secretary of the Methodist Church of New Zealand

Panel One

THE METHODIST CHURCH OF NEW ZEALAND AND WESLEY COLLEGE 

  • Reverend Tara Tautari – General Secretary of the Methodist Church of New Zealand
  • Etuini Talakai – Vice President of the Methodist Church of New Zealand
  • Chris Johnston – General Secretary of Wesley College Trust Board
  • Reverend Ian Faulkner – former Principal of Wesley College

Panel Two

THE METHODIST CHURCH OF NEW ZEALAND AND WESLEY COLLEGE 

  • Reverend Tara Tautari – General Secretary of the Methodist Church of New Zealand
  • Etuini Talakai – Vice President of the Methodist Church of New Zealand
  • Dr Brian Evans – Principal Wesley College 

Day 4

Wednesday 19 October

9.00 AM

PRESBYTERIAN SUPPORT CENTRAL 

  • Muhammad Naseem (Joe) Asghar - Chief Executive Officer of Presbyterian Support Central
  • Patrick Waite – Former Chief Executive Officer of Presbyterian Support Central

PRESBYTERIAN SUPPORT OTAGO 

  • Jo Rowe – Chief Executive Officer of Presbyterian Support Otago

1.30 PM (Approx.)

 

3.00 PM (Approx.)

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND 

  • Wayne Matheson - Assembly Executive Secretary of PCANZ
  • Dilworth Survivors Class Action Group Opening
  • Dilworth School and Trust Board Opening

ANGLICAN EDUCATION - DILWORTH SCHOOL 

  • Dr Murray Wilton – former Dilworth Headmaster 

Day 5

Thursday 20 October

9.00 AM

ANGLICAN EDUCATION - DILWORTH SCHOOL - continued 

  • Derek Firth – former Trustee and Chairman of the Dilworth Trust Board 
  • Aaron Snodgrass – Trustee and Chairman of the Dilworth Trust Board

ANGLICAN CHURCH IN AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND   

  • Right Reverend Ross Bay – Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Auckland 
  • Most Reverend Donald Tamihere – Archbishop of Aotearoa 
  • Most Reverend Philip Richardson – Archbishop of New Zealand 

1.30 pm (Approx.)

ANGLICAN CHURCH IN AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND   

  • Right Reverend Ross Bay – Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Auckland 
  • Most Reverend Donald Tamihere – Archbishop of Aotearoa 
  • Most Reverend Philip Richardson – Archbishop of New Zealand 

Closing statements begin

Day 6

Friday 21 October

09.00 AM

Closing statements continue

 

CATHOLIC EDUCATION - ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE SILVERSTREAM 

Fr Timothy Duckworth, Provincial. Fr Timothy Duckworth is the Provincial of the New Zealand Society of Mary (often known as the Marist Fathers and Brothers) and has been in the role since the 1st of February 2020. He has been a priest for 38 years and has served in a variety of ministries and apostolates including teaching. His experience in Catholic education includes positions on Board of Proprietors, School Boards and as Dean of school boarding facilities. 

Clare Couch, Chair of the Board of Proprietors. Dr Clare Couch is the chairperson of the Board of Proprietors at St Patrick's College, Silverstream since March 2020. She was appointed to the Board in 2019 and was deputy chairperson from 2019. She is also one of three Proprietor's Appointees on the College's Board of Trustees since November 2012. She has undertaken these roles on a voluntary basis. Clare's evidence speaks to her time on the Board of Proprietors of St Patrick's College Silverstream.

Robert Ferreira, Rector/Tumuaki. Robert Ferreira is currently the Rector/Tumuaki of St Patrick's College Silverstream, and has been since 2 May 2022. He was Principal of St John's College from January 2020 until his new role. He was previously a teacher for 33 years, including teaching at Palmerston North Boys' High School. Robert has not held any position in the Church outside of schools. Robert's evidence speaks as the current Rector/Tumuaki of St Patrick's College Silverstream.

Sean Mahony, Chair of the School Board. Sean Mahony serves as the current chair of the St Patrick’s College Silverstream School Board, having been in the role since 23 August 2022. He joined the Board as a Proprietor's Appointees in July 2019 and was Deputy Chair until August 2022. He is undertaking this role on a voluntary basis. Sean's evidence speaks to his time on the School Board of St Patrick's College Silverstream.

 

ANGLICAN CHURCH IN AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND   

Most Reverend Philip Richardson – Archbishop of New Zealand  The Most Reverend Philip Richardson has been a bishop since 1999 and since 2008 has been the Bishop of the Diocese of Waikato and Taranaki.  Since 2013 he has also been the Archbishop of New Zealand and one of the primates of the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia/Te Hahi Mihinare ki Aotearoa ki Niu Tireni, ki Nga Moutere o Te Moana Nui a Kiwa. From 1992 to 1999, Richardson was warden of Selwyn College at the University of Otago.

Right Reverend Ross Bay – Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Auckland  The Rt Reverend Ross Bay has been the Bishop of Auckland since 2010 having been ordained as a priest in 1989. He also currently serves on the Board of Governors for private secondary schools King’s College and Diocesan School for Girls which both have strong links to the Anglican church. Other governance roles include Chairman of the Diocesan Council, Chairman of Trustee of King’s College, Trustee of the General Trust Board, General Church Trust Board, Auckland City Mission and President of the Selwyn Foundation.

The Most Reverend Donald Tamihere has been Te Pīhopa o Te Tairāwhiti (Bishop of Te Tairāwhiti) since 2017. In 2018, he also became Bishop of Aotearoa Head of the Maori Anglican Church & Primate & Archbishop of New Zealand. Donald has held several roles within the Amorangi, and Church nationally, including being Tumuaki (Dean) of Te Rau College in Gisborne, and Ministry Educator for Te Hui Amorangi ki Te Tairāwhiti. He also holds a number of governance roles on a number of bodies associated with the Anglican Church and private companies operating in Tairāwhiti.

 

ANGLICAN EDUCATION - DILWORTH SCHOOL 

Aaron Snodgrass - Aaron Snodgrass is the Chairman of the Dilworth Trust Board.  Mr Snodgrass attended Dilworth School from 1981 to 1989.  Mr Snodgrass joined the Trust Board in 2013 before becoming Chairman in 2018.  Mr Snodgrass was a member and Treasurer of the Dilworth Old Boys’ Association Council.  

Dr Murray Thomas Wilton was educated at Dilworth School (1944-1954). He then was a Teacher-Housemaster at Dilworth School (1961-1968) and Headmaster (1979-1997).

Derek Firth was a Trustee at Dilworth School from 1975 to 2015. He was also Chairman 1996 to 2000 and 2009 to 2015. His responsibilities included governance of Dilworth School and stewardship of its endowment fund.

 

GLORIAVALE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY

Howard Temple has been the leader of the Gloriavale Community since May 2018 and a member of the Community for over thirty years. He will speak to the past and present structure of Gloriavale, the past response of the Community leaders to allegations of abuse and the changes that have since been implemented for addressing allegations of abuse.

Rachel Stedfast is the acting principal of the Community’s school and has been a teacher at the school and preschool for 20 years. Rachel will speak to matters involving education, gender, culture, disabled persons, Māori and Te Tiriti.

 

PRESBYTERIAN SUPPORT CENTRAL 

Muhammad Naseem (Joe) Asghar, Chief Executive Office. Joe Asghar is currently Chief Executive of Presbyterian Support Central. He has been in this role since January 2021.  Joe’s previous work experience spans health and government and includes roles at the Royal Society of New Zealand, Diabetes NZ, ACC and Physiotherapy NZ.

Patrick David Waite, Former Chief Executive Officer of Presbyterian Support Central (PSC).  Patrick Waite was Chief Executive Officer of PSC from March 2019 until January 2021. Prior to taking up this role, Patrick worked as an Interim Chief Executive Officer of a number of organisations similar to PSC helping them through challenging times and to build strategic plans. Formerly, he was Chief Executive of Public Trust and worked both domestically and internationally in the banking industry. Patrick was awarded a Queen Service Medal (QSM) in 2012 and was New Zealand President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of NZ in 2003. He has held positions on Government Audit and Risk Committees including NZ Treasury, Parliamentary Services, Te Puni Kokori and Te Tumu Paeroa.  Given his background with PSC, he has remained with PSC as a contractor in order to assist with its response to the Royal Commission and its engagement with survivors.

 

PRESBYTERIAN SUPPORT OTAGO

Jo O’Neill - Jo O’Neill was appointed CEO of Presbyterian Support Otago (PSO) in September 2019.  She has over 20 years of experience in senior roles in the health industry, in New Zealand and the UK.  Jo is a Registered Nurse with postgraduate qualifications in Health Management and Health Sciences and an active annual practicing certificate. Jo is a mum of four, aged from 12 to 25.

 

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND  

Wayne Matheson - Rev Wayne Matheson, Presbyterian church of Aotearoa New Zealand. Wayne is the Assembly Executive Secretary for the Presbyterian Church. Prior to taking up this role in October 2014, Wayne has served as minister in Balclutha, Whangarei and Lower Hutt. He has served on various Committees in the Church, including on the Council of Assembly.

 

THE METHODIST CHURCH OF NEW ZEALAND

Etuini (Edwin) Poluto Talakai  Etuini Poluto Talakai, Methodist Church of New Zealand Te Hāhi Weteriana o Aotearoa.  Mr Talakai is currently the Vice President of the Methodist Church.  He was previously the Secretary for Vahefonua Tonga O Aotearoa, a national synod of the Methodist Church (2010- 2018).  Mr Talakai has also served as Secretary of the Auckland Manukau Methodist Parish since 2010.  Mr Talakai attended Wesley College in 1989.  He is a member of the Dominion Rd Tongan Methodist Congregation under the Auckland-Manukau Tongan Methodist Parish and has been involved with the Tongan congregation from his youth, volunteering in a number of roles including as a Worship musician, choir conductor and choir member, young families group leader, church Trustee member and a lay preacher.  Mr Talakai has a background in Information Technology and established charitable foundation services that provide educational support for parents and students from ECE level to Tertiary, with a particular focus on Pacific students.

Dr Brian Evans  Dr Brian Evans, ONZM, BA, Dip Tch, Med, PhD.  Dr Brian Evans is the current Principal and Tumuaki of Wesley College.  He was previously the Chair of the West Auckland Secondary Principals Association and a Secondary Schools Principals representative of the West Auckland Schools Association. He also held roles as Headmaster of Kelston Boys High School and Deputy Headmaster of De La Salle College.  Dr Evans has a Doctor of Philosophy from Unitec, Auckland. Dr Evans’ doctoral thesis examined the influences of Cultural Capital on the educational achievement of Samoan and Tongan male students in Auckland Secondary schools.  Dr Evans was appointed Head Coach of the New Zealand women’s national rugby team, the Black Ferns, in 2009.  Dr Evans coached the Black Ferns to a Rugby World Cup victory in 2010.  In 2011, Dr Evans became an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to women’s rugby.

Christopher Johnston  Christopher Johnston, Wesley College Trust Board.  Chris Johnston is the General Secretary of the Wesley College Trust Board. He has held this role since 2005.  He was previously Bursar to the Wesley College Trust Board (1997-2005). Mr Johnston has served as the President of the School Executive Officers Association (2009 – 2014) and an executive member of the Association of Integrated schools (2015-2022).  Mr Johnston is also the Executive Director of Grafton Downs Ltd since 2009.  Grafton Downs Ltd is currently developing a residential and retail town at Paerata Rise.  Earlier in his career, Mr Johnston worked as an accountant.

Reverend Tara Tautari  Rev Tara Tautari,  Methodist Church of New Zealand Te Hāhi Weteriana o Aotearoa. Rev Tara Tautari is the General Secretary of the Methodist Church. Prior to taking up her current role in November 2020, Rev Tautari was the General Secretary Elect of the Church from November 2019 and served on various connexional committees and Boards of the Church including the Hui Poari of Te Taha Māori.  Rev Tautari has a background in education and community engagement and has worked extensively with individuals and groups both in Aotearoa and overseas, in areas of advocacy, capacity building and education and training.

Reverend Ian Faulkner  Reverend Ian Faulkner, Methodist Church of New Zealand Te Hāhi Weteriana o Aotearoa.  Rev Faulkner is currently a Presbyter appointed by the Methodist Church to the Auckland Methodist Central Parish.  He was previously the Principal and Tumuaki of Wesley College (from 2003 - 2014).  Rev Faulkner attended Wesley College from 1963 to 1967.  He was previously a member of the Auckland Secondary Schools’ Heads Association, representing South Auckland Schools and President of the Bay of Plenty Principals’ Association.  He has also held roles as Principal of Reporoa College, Deputy Principal of Opononi Area School and Dean, Head of Department at Mangere College.

Sekope Kepu is an Old Boy of Wesley College, attending from 1999-2004.  He was a Prefect in his last two years at Wesley College, a member of the First IV rugby team and a leader of the Tongan cultural group at the College in his final years. Sekope is now a Professional Rugby Player, currently playing for the Counties Manukau rugby football union.  He played over 100 tests for the Wallabies Australian rugby union squad and more recently he captained the new Moana Pasifika rugby union team in the Super Rugby competition. As an Old Boy of Wesley College, Sekope has been invited to participate in the hearing to address the forward-looking aspects of the evidence provided.    

 

THE DIOCESES AND CONGREGATIONS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH OF AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND  

Cardinal John Dew, Archbishop of Wellington and the Metropolitan of New Zealand. John Dew was ordained a priest in 1976 and served in various roles within the Archdiocese of Wellington between 1976 and 2004. In 2005, John was appointed as the Archbishop of Wellington and Metropolitan Archbishop of New Zealand. He was appointed to Cardinal in 2015. John is also the President of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference.

Sister Sue France, Congregation Leader of Nga Whaea Atawhai o Aotearoa Sisters of Mercy New Zealand. Sue France is a vowed Sister and is in her third year of a five-year term of office as the Congregation Leader of Nga Whaea Atawhai o Aotearoa Sisters of Mercy New Zealand. She is also one of the religious congregation members on Te Rōpū Tautoko.

Dr Paul Flanagan, Member of the National Safeguarding and Professional Standards Committee (NSPSC). Paul has served on the NSPSC since 2017 and is the second longest serving member of that Committee. Paul is currently a senior lecturer in a postgraduate counsellor education programme. He was previously a senior counsellor at the Parentline Child Advocacy agency in Hamilton until 2007, and a therapist with Specialist Services of Child Youth & Family until 2003. He was a Guidance Counsellor at Ngaruawahia High School from 1996 until 1999. Paul has been a member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors since 1997. As a counsellor, he worked with children and young people who were survivors of family violence and sexual harm, including ACC counselling. As a counsellor educator, he now works with masters’ level students from across Aotearoa New Zealand working in counselling practices within schools and community agencies. Paul was also an ordained priest from 1986 to 1994. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Theology, a masters in Counselling, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Education - analysing the effects of adults’ language about sexuality for children.

Bishop Patrick Dunn. Bishop Dunn was appointed the Bishop of Auckland in 1994. He was the 11th Bishop of Auckland, and held this role for 27 years. Prior to being appointed as the Bishop, he did pastoral work with the Catholic Māori Mission and in various parishes within Auckland. He also held roles as the diocesan Director of Vocations, and as the personal assistant to the Bishop of Auckland. His resignation as Bishop of Auckland was accepted in 2021. Bishop Dunn is now retired and known as the Emeritus Bishop of Auckland.

Bishop Stephen Lowe is the twelfth Bishop of Auckland and the Apostolic Administrator of Hamilton until the Pope appoints a new bishop for the Hamilton diocese. He was appointed on 17 December 2021 and installed on 19 February 2022. Bishop Lowe was ordained a priest on 7 June 1996 in Hokitika for the Diocese of Christchurch. He has completed a Licenciate in Spiritual Theology in Rome at the Pontifical Gregorian University. He has also held roles as the director of formation at the National Seminary, Holy Cross College and the second Bishop of Hamilton.

 

 

The Royal Commission will hear from leaders of the following faith-based institutions (in hearing schedule order): 

    • Gloriavale Christian Community
    • St Patrick’s College, Silverstream
    • Dioceses and congregations of the Catholic Church of Aotearoa New Zealand
    • Wesley College
    • Methodist Church of New Zealand
    • Presbyterian Support Central
    • Presbyterian Support Otago 
    • Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand             
    • Dilworth School
    • Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand

The Royal Commission will question these faith organisations about their failures to provide adequate care and respond to allegations of abuse and neglect.  Multiple witnesses from each faith organisation will be called to give evidence, allowing the Royal Commission to hear senior leadership perspectives.  The faith hearing is the second Royal Commission Institutional Response hearing, the first being an examination of State agencies during August.

During that hearing the Royal Commission heard from the Public Service Commission, Oranga Tamariki, Social Development, Health, Education, Education Review Office, Teaching Council, Police, Corrections, Te Puni Kōkiri, Pacific People, Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People, also the Children’s Commissioner and Ombudsman.

Prior to these two institutional response hearings, the Royal Commission’s 127 days of public hearings were mainly survivor focussed.  Over recent months the Royal Commission has written to Crown agencies and faith institutions asking for written responses to questions regarding abuse and neglect under their care.

These questions included:

  • How care systems were monitored and those in care protected from physical, psychological, sexual abuse and neglect.
  • Whether organisations had met their obligations under te Tiriti o Waitangi.
  • To what extent their care systems had met the needs of Māori, Pacific and Disabled people and people with mental health conditions.How racism, ableism and bias impacted delivery of care services.

The hearing will have an historical and contemporary focus.

The Royal Commission is mandated to investigate and examine the Aotearoa New Zealand care system from 1950 -1999 and to make recommendations for changes to ensure factors that allowed abuse to occur in the past do not continue today and in the future.  Evidence from our public hearings, investigations, survivor and witness accounts, research and policy review, hui, wānanga, fono and community engagement will inform the final report due to the Governor General in March 2024.

Information about the public hearing - faith institutions response to abuse in care

Religious and faith-based institutions are organisations that have religious values and beliefs and support groups of people that believe in their same values.

At this public hearing, we will hear faith-based organisations answer questions about the abuse and neglect of children, young people and adults in their care, who they were supposed to be helping.

This is the last public hearing for the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry, and it will take place from Thursday 13 October to Friday 21 October 2022. There will be no hearing day on Friday 14 October.

This section will tell you about:

The faith-based institutions that will be part of this hearing

  • What types of questions the faith-based institutions will be asked
  • Who will answer the questions
  • The last hearing that was held, which was for State agencies
  • The questions these State agencies were asked
  • What the Royal Commission does
  • How you can attend the hearing

The faith-based institutions appearing at the hearing:

  • Gloriavale Christian Community
  • St Patrick’s College, Silverstream
  • Dioceses and congregations of the Catholic Church of Aotearoa New Zealand
  • Wesley College
  • Methodist Church of New Zealand
  • Presbyterian Support Central
  • Presbyterian Support Otago
  • Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand
  • Dilworth School
  • Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand

 Faith-based institutions will be answering questions about why they were not able to look after people who were in their care and reply to comments from survivors about the neglect and abuse they received.

 People who will answer questions from the faith-based institutions will be people in leadership positions.

 In August 2022 there was a public hearing to hear State agencies answer questions about the abuse and neglect of children, young people and vulnerable adults in their care.

 State agencies are organisations that are part of government and make important decisions for the public.

 

The State agencies we interviewed were: 

  • Oranga Tamariki – Ministry for Children
  • Ministry of Social Development
  • Ministry of Health
  • Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People
  • Ministry of Education
  • Education Review Office
  • Teaching Council
  • New Zealand Police
  • Department of Corrections
  • Te Puni Kōkiri
  • Ministry for Pacific Peoples
  • Children’s Commissioner
  • Ombudsman
  • Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission

Before the State agencies' public hearing, the Royal Commission’s public hearings were mainly to hear from survivors.

Before the public hearings, state agencies and faith-based institutions were asked to write answers to the following questions: 

  • How people were looked after and protected in care
  • How racism, ableism and bias affected how they looked after people
  • How they followed te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi)
  • How the needs of different communities were met, including:
    • Māori and Tangata Whaikaha Māori
    • Pacific people
    • Disabled and Deaf people
    • People experiencing mental distress

The hearing will talk about things that happened in the past and the present.


About the Royal Commission:    

  • The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry is looking at what happened to people who spent time in institutions and other places run by the State and faith-based organisations between 1950 and 1999.
  • We will also suggest changes to make sure what happened in the past can’t happen again now and in the future.
  • We will write a report for the Government next year in June, telling them what we found.  
  • This report will say how things must improve, so people do not experience any more abuse and neglect when being cared for by the State and faith-based organisations.

How can I attend the hearing? 

The public hearing for faith-based institutions will take place for 6 days from Thursday 13 October to Friday 21 October 2022 at 414 Khyber Pass Road, Newmarket, Auckland. Please note: There will be no hearing day on Friday 14 October. 

It will be open to the public, and a captioned live stream of the hearing will be available on the Royal Commission’s website. 

Please phone us on 0800 222 727 during weekday hours if you need further information about the hearing, or if you want wellbeing support. You can also visit our website: https://www.abuseincare.org.nz/ for other ways to speak with us.

 

The six-day Faith-based Institutional Response public hearing will take place from 13-21 October 2022 at 414 Khyber Pass Road, Newmarket, Auckland.

It will be open to the public and live streamed on this page of the Royal Commission’s website.  

Please note: there will be no hearing sitting on Friday 14 October.

The public is able to access the hearing space from 8.30m each day. The hearing begins at 9am each morning and ends at approximately 5pm.

The hearing space and building have had an accessibility assessment from Vivian Naylor, who is a Barrier Free Advisor from CCS Disability Action. We have made a lot of changes as a result of the assessment and other feedback: 

  • Click here for parking information.
  • NZSL interpreters will be translating the hearing
  • Improvements to our furniture, bathrooms and tea and coffee stations to make them easier to use.

If you are planning to attend the hearing in-person you can email the Contact Centre on contact@abuseincare.org.nz or call us on 0800 222 727, to talk about what you’ll need.   We can plan ahead to make sure you are comfortable getting to and from the venue and during the hearing.