State to be questioned on its response to abuse in care in upcoming public hearing
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