10 August 2022

Witness information and schedule: Information about witnesses giving evidence at the hearing and a schedule can be found below this media release.  

The responses of State agencies to the abuse and neglect of children, young people and vulnerable adults will be examined by the Royal Commission of Inquiry in an upcoming public hearing that will run from 15 to 26 August.

During the 10-day State Institutional Response hearing, witnesses from Crown agencies will be questioned on failures by the State to prevent and respond to abuse in State and faith-based care.

Witnesses will include chief executives and other senior people across the following agencies:

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

Agencies will be responding to questions around how care systems were monitored; the handling of complaints; the nature and extent of physical, psychological, sexual abuse and neglect; and to what extent their care systems had met the needs of Māori, Pacific and Disabled people and people with mental health conditions. 

They will also respond to questions around the implementation of recommendations from previous inquiries and reports, and whether they had met their obligations under te Tiriti o Waitangi.

The Royal Commission will hold a separate Institutional Response hearing for faith-based institutions later this year, with further details to come. 

The State Institutional Response public hearing will take place from 15-26 August 2022 at Level 2, 414 Khyber Pass Road, Newmarket, Tāmaki Makaurau. It will be open to the public and live streamed on the Royal Commission’s website.

We continue to encourage all survivors of abuse in care to come forward to the Royal Commission of Inquiry. Our contact centre can be reached on 0800 222 727 during weekday working hours or contact@abuseincare.org.nz. More information can be found at www.abuseincare.org.nz

About the Inquiry   

The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry is investigating the abuse of children, young people and vulnerable adults within State and faith-based institutions in Aotearoa New Zealand between 1950-1999. We can also learn from the experiences of survivors who have been in care after 1999. The Royal Commission will deliver its final report in June 2023.   

ENDS   

For Media   

To report on a Royal Commission public hearing, you must adhere to its Media Guidelines. This includes applying to report at the public hearing by 12 August using the form in the guidelines and emailing it to media@abuseincare.org.nz. Media can report in person or from the daily livestream on the Royal Commission website.  

Media enquiries: 027 298 2094; media@abuseincare.org.nz  

Witness summaries

Monday 15 August

Morning

Opening statements

Afternoon

Ministry of Social Development – Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora

Debbie Power, Chief Executive

Barry Fisk, General Manager Te Kahui Kahu

Arran Jones, Executive Director of Te Mana Whakamaru Motuhake/Independent Children’s Monitor

Tuesday 16 August

Morning and afternoon

 New Zealand Police – Ngāpirihimana o Aotearoa

Andrew Coster, Commissioner of Police

Tania Kura, Deputy Commissioner: Leadership & Capability

Wednesday 17 August

Morning and afternoon

Ministry of Health – Manatū Hauora

Dr Diana Sarfati, Director-General of Health
Dr John Crawshaw, Director Mental Health and Addiction

Dr Arran Culver, Acting Associate Deputy Director-General Mental Health and Addiction

John Whaanga, Deputy Director-General, Māori Health

Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People

Geraldine Woods, Acting Chief Executive

Amanda Bleckmann, Deputy Chief Executive, Service Delivery

Hannah Kerr, General Manager, Policy

Thursday 18 August

Morning and afternoon

Ministry of Education – Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga

Iona Holsted, Chief Executive and Secretary for Education

David Wales, National Director Learning Support and Special Education

Rachel Vink, Manager National Service Support and Guidance
Hira Gage, Director Education Tai Tokerau (Operational)

Tipene Chrisp, Group Manager Policy/Māori Education 

Friday 19 August

Morning

Education Review Office – Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga

Nicholas Pole, Chief Executive

Lynda Pura-Watson, Deputy Chief Executive – Evaluation and Review Maori

Jane Lee, Deputy Chief Executive – Review and Improvement

Afternoon

Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand

Robyn Baker ONZM, Chair

Lesley Hoskin, Chief Executive 

Monday 22 August – Wednesday 24 August

Oranga Tamariki – Ministry for Children

Chappie Te Kani, Chief Executive 

Peter Whitcombe, Chief Social Worker 

Nicolette Dickson, Deputy Chief Executive – Quality Practice & Experiences 
Frana Chase, Director Youth Justice Transformation Whanau Care in Service Delivery

Aiolupotea Sina Aiolupotea-Aiono, Chief Advisor Pacific

Claudia Boyles, Chief Advisor Disability

Paula Attrill, General Manager International Casework and Adoption in Service Delivery

Thursday 25 August

Morning

Department of Corrections – Ara Poutama Aotearoa

Jeremy Lightfoot, Chief Executive

Juanita Ryan, Deputy Chief Executive, Health

Neil Beales, General Manager Custodial and Chief Custodial Officer

Jessica Borg, General Manager Psychology and Programmes

Rebecca Barson, General Manager Reintegration and Housing

Afternoon

Office of the Children’s Commissioner – Manaakatia a Tātou Tamariki

Judge Eivers, Children’s Commissioner
Glenis Phillip-Barbara, Former Assistant Māori Commissioner for Children
Fiona Cassidy, Executive Director

Friday 26 August 

Morning

Ombudsman New Zealand – Te Tari o te Kaitiaki Mana Tangata

Peter Boshier, Chief Ombudsman

Ministry for Pacific Peoples

Laulu Mac Leauanae, Secretary 
Aiono Matthew Aileone, Deputy Secretary for Policy

Te Puni Kokiri – Ministry of Māori Development

Dave Samuels, Chief Executive and Secretary for Māori Development 
Grace Smit, Deputy Secretary – Strategy, Finance and Performance

Afternoon

Te Kawa Mataaho – Public Service Commission

Peter Hughes, Public Service Commissioner

Closing statements