Virtual School Meanderings

May 7, 2024

COVID 19 Inquiry Pānui – April

As the provision of education and the continuity of learning would fall within the scope of the inquiry, I continue to make sure that my Kiwi colleagues are kept up to date.

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COVID-19 Inquiry Pānui

In this issue:

  • An update from our Chair, Professor Tony Blakely
  • Inquiry continues hearing from New Zealanders

A word from our Chair, Professor Tony Blakely

Kia ora koutou,

The following is an opinion piece by Professor Blakely, published in The New Zealand Herald on 7 May:

Over 13,000 New Zealanders from all walks of life have now shared their story with the Royal Commission on COVID-19 Lessons Learned. Some people wrote thousands of words, others just shared a few important moments. More than a quarter came from Aucklanders. That’s important, as we know the pandemic was hard for people living in Auckland.

We received insights on a broad range of topics. We heard how people were impacted by COVID-19 measures, like vaccine mandates and border closures, as well as how the pandemic impacted significant family events, like births and deaths. We heard concerns about disruption to people’s businesses and education. We also received lots of ideas about what could be done differently in the future. The reason we wanted to hear from people was to better understand COVID-19 experiences so that we can ensure the Inquiry helps prepare New Zealand for any future pandemic.

Prior to and in parallel with the public submission process, we’ve held over 350 evidence gathering sessions, and met with over 1,600 people. This involves holding free and frank engagements directly with key decision-makers, organisations, businesses and people from impacted communities.

An important feature of our COVID-19 Royal Commission is that we’ve been directed to undertake it in a non-adversarial way. Unlike the UK Inquiry, for example, we are not using an adversarial process with cross-examination of witnesses in a public forum. On balance, we think a non-adversarial approach is the right one as it is likely to be quicker, less costly, and more insightful.

Everyone we’ve sought evidence from has done so willingly and co-operatively. We’ve heard a very diverse range of views and learned a great deal about what happened and how key decisions were made. People have been reflective of what went well, what did not go well, and have constructively suggested to us what they think the lessons are. We have also requested key decision-making documents, data and advice to ensure we can assess the basis and processes used in decisions taken at the time – so we can make recommendations to improve that in response to a future pandemic.

Given that our engagements have not been public, we’ve done a number of things to ensure people have visibility of our work.  Our website lists the people and organisations we have met with. Regular newsletters and videos profile people and organisations that we have engaged with, and their reflections on the issues they wanted to bring before the Inquiry. We’ve proactively run a campaign to encourage public input into the Inquiry and gone to great lengths to reach people who might not otherwise have a voice.

The Government is currently reviewing our terms of reference, or the parts of the pandemic response we are tasked with looking at. Our current terms of reference are broad enough to allow us to look at a wide range of COVID-19 related topics, like mandates and lockdowns, and social impacts such as the impact on education and mental health, but we recognise there may be specific topics that people would like considered and which could be included, or clarified. We’ve supported this by consulting with the New Zealand public, on the Government’s behalf, about a proposed expansion.

It would be useful to clarify to what extent vaccine effectiveness is considered as part of the Inquiry. We know that the use of vaccines is a really important topic for many people. It’s difficult for us to consider vaccine mandates and passes, and the overall elimination strategy without also considering issues about vaccine effectiveness. By this, we mean how effective the vaccine is at preventing death, preventing hospitalisation, and preventing transmission. For example, the ethical case for – say – vaccine mandates is stronger if vaccines also stop transmission.

We are looking closely at what happened, and what might happen in a future pandemic, taking into account a range of perspectives. For example, we are looking at the decisions that were made from the point of view of those with high health needs, like disabled people, versus the wider community’s desire to get back to some sense of normal everyday life, and how best to strike the right balance between these two needs. This involves asking hard questions about the effectiveness and impacts of New Zealand’s COVID-19 response.

We then identify what we can learn from our findings, to prepare for, respond to, and recover from the next pandemic. To help us arrive at a lesson, we are approaching it by first putting ourselves in the shoes of the decision maker at the time, and asking questions like “did they have all the information they should have had? And if not, why not?  And what are the lessons here for better systems next time around?”

Secondly, we have learnt from COVID-19 which measures attracted widespread support and which proved highly divisive and risked undermining support in the fight against the virus. Now we have the benefit of hindsight and lessons about these long-term impacts, we can carry them forward to assist decision-making in the next pandemic.

Our COVID-19 Royal Commission is making good progress. If we receive a revised terms of reference – probably mid-year – from the Government, we will take stock, and adjust our processes and deliberations as required. This may include further engagements and consultation. And we will update the New Zealand public on changes to our processes as soon as we can.

Heoi ano ra,

Professor Tony Blakely

Royal Commission Chair

Inquiry continues hearing from New Zealanders

We continued to hold direct engagements during April. The Inquiry met with further key decision-makers and Government agencies, representatives from the media sector, Iwi, public health representatives, and community groups. These meetings continue to provide important insights into the COVID-19 pandemic response across Aotearoa New Zealand, as well as a range of perspectives on how New Zealand can plan for future pandemics.

The full list of everyone who the Inquiry has met with is available on the Inquiry website.

See more of the organisations and individuals the Inquiry has met with in the photo gallery below.

A group of high school age people and Inquiry Chair Professor Blakely sit on chairs in a circle having a conversation

The Next Generation Conversation youth group in Ōtautahi Christchurch.

A row of seven people standing facing the camera that represent a variety of organisations, communities, and ethnicities

Community organisations, non-profits, new migrants, and ethnic communities in Ōtepoti Dunedin.

Nine people standing in a tow in front of a background of marae imagery.

Senior leadership of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and Papatipu Rūnanga.

Nine people from the disabled and Deaf communities sit or stand in a row, including three wheelchair users. They are in a room with a window behind them.

Members of the disabled and Deaf communities in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

Eight people stand in a row in a conference room, including Chair Professor Tony Blakely and Commissioner John Whitehead.

Local government representatives in Kirikiriroa Hamilton.

A row of five health professionals sit in a row. There is a table in front of them and they are in a meeting room. They are all wearing street clothes. One woman is talking and the others are listening.

GPs and health providers in Ōtautahi Christchurch.

Professor Tony Blakely talks to an attendee at the Wanaka A&P show. They are outside on a sunny day and standing under a white marquee. The walls of the marquee are covered in blue and green and an image of a woman in a pink dress sitting in a wheelchair which was used to advertise public submissions to the Inquiry.

Professor Tony Blakely, Chair, at the Wanaka A&P show.

A man and a woman sit at a long table with windows behind them. They are both looking away from the camera to listen to someone else in the room who is talking.

Representatives from Federated Farmers in Ōtautahi Christchurch.

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April 9, 2024

COVID 19 Inquiry Pānui – March

As the provision of education and the continuity of learning would fall within the scope of the inquiry, I continue to make sure that my Kiwi colleagues are kept up to date.

No images? Click here

COVID-19 Inquiry Pānui

In this issue:

  • An update from our Chair, Professor Tony Blakely
  • Public submissions received from a wide range of New Zealanders
  • Engagement around Aotearoa continues

A word from our Chair, Professor Tony Blakely

Kia ora koutou,

As many of you will know, our focus throughout February and March was on hearing from as many New Zealanders as possible about their experiences of COVID-19 and how we might be able to learn from those experiences for the future.

I’m pleased to share that we heard from a diverse range of New Zealanders. We received nearly 13,000 submissions during our public consultation period which ran from 8 February to 24 March.

Thank you to everyone who made a submission. All New Zealanders, both here and overseas, were significantly impacted by the pandemic – and sharing these experiences isn’t always easy. These submissions are of tremendous value to the work of the Inquiry as we look to learn the lessons from COVID-19 to prepare for future pandemics.

As well as seeking your submissions online, we also held a wide range of direct engagements across New Zealand during this time. This included meeting with community groups, young people, secondary school and tertiary students, refugees, members of the disabled community, small business owners and workers, Iwi, and people from a wide range of communities more generally. You might have also spotted the Inquiry at key events around the country like A&P shows, festivals, and markets. We really appreciated the time that people took to talk with us and to make a submission.

New Zealanders also had the chance to share their feedback on the Inquiry’s terms of reference during this consultation period. This feedback has been provided to the Department of Internal Affairs and will be used to inform any changes that the Government decides to make. Many of you will have seen that a decision on these changes is included in the Prime Minister’s recently announced 90-day plan, so we expect to know what an expanded terms of reference for the Inquiry might include by the end of June 2024.

Thank you for your interest in the work of the Inquiry. We look forward to sharing more of our updates and progress with you over the coming months.

Heoi ano ra,

Professor Tony Blakely

Royal Commission Chair

Submissions received from a wide and diverse range of New Zealanders

The recent round of public consultation saw the Inquiry receive almost 13,000 submissions.

Hearing from the public is vital to the work of the Inquiry, and we are very grateful to everyone who shared their COVID-19 experience with us.

During the submissions period, the Inquiry heard from people all around Aotearoa New Zealand (including the Chatham Islands) as well as from New Zealanders overseas. We received around 25% of submissions from Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

The Inquiry received submissions from all age groups. The highest number of submissions came from those aged 55 to 64 (23 percent of submissions), while the lowest number of submissions came from those aged 18 and under (0.29 percent of submissions).

More women than men submitted to the Inquiry.  Just under 57 percent of submitters identify as women and 35 percent identify as men. Two percent identify as gender diverse, and the remainder preferred not to answer.

Twenty-four percent of submissions were from essential workers, defined as people who could leave their homes to go to work during Level 4 lockdowns.

We received submissions from members of over 18 different ethnic groups, with the majority coming from NZ European/Pākehā (74 percent), followed by NZ Māori (9 percent). Submitters could select more than one ethnicity.

While demographic questions were optional, over 90 percent of respondents chose to answer them.

The experiences shared with the Inquiry covered a broad range of areas. We heard how people were impacted by COVID-19 measures, like vaccine mandates and border closures, as well as how the pandemic impacted life events like births and deaths. We received many insights that will help fulfill the Inquiry’s work of learning from the COVID-19 pandemic to prepare for future pandemics.

The submissions we received are now being considered and analysed, along with publicly available information and information gathered from engagements with organisations and individuals. All the information we’ve gathered and received will inform the Inquiry’s final report.

Engagement around Aotearoa continues

Alongside public submissions, the Inquiry continued to hold direct engagements around Aotearoa New Zealand.

We met with a number of community groups around the country, including representatives from community support organisations, older people, refugees, and young people. The Inquiry also visited correctional facilities to speak with incarcerated people. These direct engagements support the Inquiry’s goal to hear from as many different community groups as possible. The Inquiry also attended several public events, including A&P shows and festivals, during February and March.

Wanaka visit video

The Inquiry so far

With a number of you recently signing up for our updates, we wanted to share a quick recap on the background and work to date of the Royal Commission.

The New Zealand Government announced the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons Learned I Te Tira Ārai Urutā on 8 December 2022. The purpose of the Inquiry is to learn lessons from Aotearoa New Zealand’s response to COVID-19 that should be applied in preparation for any future pandemic. The Royal Commission is led by Chair Professor Tony Blakely and Commissioner John Whitehead.

The Inquiry first identified and sourced publicly available information. More recently, the Inquiry contacted a wide range of organisations and institutions to seek further information, and in many cases, to set up an engagement.

Since then, the Inquiry has met with more than 1500 people across government, education, business, health, and charities and social services sectors, as well as representatives from different Iwi and communities around New Zealand. The Inquiry has held meetings in Christchurch, Dunedin, Gisborne, Hastings, Northland, Hamilton, Auckland, Queenstown, Tauranga, Porirua and Wellington so far, as well as numerous online engagements with people around Aotearoa New Zealand.

As well as the experiences gathered through public consultation, this information will be used to inform the Inquiry’s findings and recommendations in its final report.

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March 21, 2024

Public submissions close on 24 March 2024

As the provision of education and the continuity of learning would fall within the scope of the inquiry, I encourage my Kiwi colleagues to submit.

No images? Click here

Public submissions close Sunday 24 March 2024

Kia ora koutou,

A really important part of the Inquiry’s work is hearing from as many people, communities, and groups as possible about their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over the past six weeks the Inquiry has received over 8000 submissions detailing COVID-19 experiences, as well as making suggestions and providing insights about how a future pandemic could be managed. The submissions have come from people of all age groups, ethnicities, and locations, including New Zealanders living overseas.

Thank you to those who have made a submission to the Inquiry so far. We feel honoured to hear your stories and receive your contributions to the work of the Inquiry.

We really encourage everyone who has yet to make a submission to do so before submissions close on Sunday 24 March 2024. If you or your friends, family or whānau, colleagues, or community members have yet to make a submission, please visit www.covid19inquiry.nz to share your story.

If you have any questions, you can view the Frequently Asked Questions about the public submissions process on our website.

Also closing on Sunday 24 March is the opportunity to provide your feedback on the terms of reference for the Inquiry, which you can also do at www.covid19inquiry.nz. The terms of reference set the topics to be investigated by the Inquiry. The New Zealand Government has said it is committed to expanding the terms of reference and has asked the Inquiry to seek feedback from the New Zealand public on the proposed changes.

Thank you again to everyone who has taken the time to make a submission. Your experiences greatly contribute to the work of the Inquiry.

Ngā mihi nui,

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons Learned

March 7, 2024

COVID 19 Inquiry Pānui – February

As the provision of education and the continuity of learning would fall within the scope of the inquiry.

No images? Click here

COVID-19 Inquiry Pānui

In this issue:

  • An update from our Chair, Professor Blakely
  • The Inquiry visit to Te Tai Tokerau Northland and other engagements
  • An update on public submissions
  • An overview of the Inquiry so far

A word from our Chair, Professor Tony Blakely

Kia ora koutou,

A real focus for the Inquiry during February has been to ensure that people can share their experiences with us. I’m really pleased to let you know that people are taking up this opportunity and that as of today, over 4700 people have shared their story.

It’s great that so many people have provided a submission. A vital part of the work of the Inquiry is hearing from Aotearoa New Zealanders about their COVID-19 experiences and their thoughts on how our country can plan for future pandemics.

We are honoured to hear your stories and receive your contributions to the work of the Inquiry, and my thanks to everyone who has shared their experiences with the Inquiry so far. The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on all of us, and we know that sharing your stories can be difficult or upsetting.

As you may also be aware, the Inquiry is undertaking a consultation process on an expanded terms of reference on behalf of the New Zealand Government. The terms of reference set out the topics that the Inquiry will look at. At the end of the consultation period, the feedback will be provided directly to the Department of Internal Affairs ahead of the Government making decisions about what an expanded terms of reference might include. We’ll let you know more about that in a further update in the coming months.

For those who would like to share their stories or provide feedback on the terms of reference, public consultation is open at www.covid19inquiry.nz until 24 March 2024.

Alongside public consultation, the Inquiry also continued with our direct engagements, including a visit to Te Tai Tokerau Northland (see our update below). Te Tai Tokerau had a different – many would say more challenging – experience of COVID-19 to other parts of Aotearoa New Zealand, and hearing from Iwi, businesses, health and education providers, and the local Council about this experience was incredibly valuable.

Thank you again for your interest in the work of the Inquiry, and I hope you find this latest update from us to be both useful and relevant.

Heoi ano ra,

Professor Tony Blakely

Royal Commission Chair

Te Tai Tokerau the focus for Inquiry engagements this month

February saw the Inquiry travel to the far North, holding meetings across three days in Whangarei, Kaikohe, and Kaitaia. During the visit, Commissioners and the Inquiry met with Iwi representatives, the Te Hiku Covid Response Group, Te Tai Tokerau Border Control, local councils and emergency management, health and social services providers, businesses, education providers, and with wider members of the Northland community. The Commission aimed to hear from local groups about their COVID-19 experience and the impacts of COVID-19 (including extended lockdowns) in the region.

Video of Northland engagements

The visit was covered on RNZ Morning Report.

As well as travelling to Te Tai Tokerau, the Inquiry also continued meetings with organisations and individuals around the country. Commissioners and the Inquiry met with economists, media representatives, mis-and-disinformation experts, and cultural sector representatives. Commissioners also visited with prisoners to better understand their experiences of the pandemic.

The Inquiry also held the first of a series of community engagements. In Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, the Inquiry met with University students, members of the disabled community, small businesses, and community support organisations. Further South, the Inquiry held meetings with University students, essential workers, members of the disabled community, and members of the Rainbow community in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington.

Video of Auckland Dioscuri community engagements

You can view everyone the Inquiry has met with so far here: Record of Inquiry Engagements.

First month of public consultation completed

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons Learned opened public consultation on 8 February 2024.

The Commission is encouraging people to share their experiences of COVID-19 to inform our understanding of Aotearoa New Zealand’s response and our recommendations about how to better prepare for future pandemics.

The Commission is also hosting a consultation on the terms of reference. The New Zealand Government has said it is committed to broadening the Inquiry’s terms of reference, and would like to hear feedback from the New Zealand public on the proposed expansion.

New Zealanders have been informed about the opportunity to share their experiences through social media, TV, radio, and outdoor advertising. If you haven’t seen our TV advert yet, you can view it on the Inquiry’s YouTube channel. Our Commissioners also appeared on 1 News, the AM Show, Mike Hosking Breakfast, Pacific Media Network News, Radio531PI, Reality Check Radio, The Platform, and TVNZ Breakfast to talk about the consultation.

After three weeks of consultation, the Inquiry has:

  • Received over 4700 COVID-19 stories.
  • Heard from people all around Aotearoa New Zealand, including the Chatham Islands.
  • Heard from over 1300 essential workers.
  • Received submissions on behalf of families, Iwi, businesses, and organisations.

As part of public consultations, the Royal Commission will also have pop-up stalls at events around the country, including festivals, markets, and A&P shows. If you are attending one of these events, you can come by the stand to hear more about how to share your story, and get assistance making a submission if you require it.

We look forward to hearing from more New Zealanders up until consultation closes on 24 March 2024.

You can share your story or your feedback on the terms of reference at www.covid19inquiry.nz.

Covid-19 Inquiry – a quick recap

New to the newsletter? Welcome! It’s great to have you as a subscriber. With a number of you recently signing up for our updates, we wanted to share a quick recap on the background and work to date of the Royal Commission.

The New Zealand Government announced the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons Learned on 8 December 2022. The purpose of the Inquiry is to learn lessons from Aotearoa New Zealand’s response to COVID-19 that should be applied in preparation for any future pandemic.

The Royal Commission is led by Chair Professor Tony Blakely and Commissioner John Whitehead. Hon Hekia Parata was also appointed a Commissioner in December 2022, but resigned from the Inquiry to focus on family commitments and issues in Tairāwhiti Gisborne, and subsequently left in November 2023.

You can read our current terms of reference here, but note that the Government has said it is committed to expanding the current terms of reference, and we are currently seeking feedback on their behalf.

Initially, and as per its terms of reference, the Inquiry’s focus was on identifying and sourcing publicly available information. This included an initial communication to Government agencies about reports – of which there were a large number- reviews and information that could help inform the Commission’s work.

More recently, the Inquiry contacted a wide range of organisations and institutions including community organisations and NGOs, Iwi and Māori organisations, business associations, academics and researchers, international organisations, and other government agencies not previously contacted, to seek further information, and in many cases, to set up an engagement.

Since then, the Inquiry has so far met with more than 1200 people across government, education, business, health, and charities and social services sectors, as well as representatives from different Iwi and from communities around New Zealand. The Inquiry has held meetings in Christchurch, Gisborne, Northland, Hamilton, Auckland, Queenstown, and Wellington so far, as well as numerous online engagements with people around Aotearoa New Zealand. These meetings are continuing to run alongside the public submissions process.

As well as the experiences gathered through public consultation, this information will be used to inform the Inquiry’s findings and recommendations in its final report, which is due on 30 September 2024.

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You can also keep up with the work of the Inquiry by following us on Facebook and LinkedIn:

February 11, 2024

COVID 19 Inquiry Pānui – January

As the provision of education and the continuity of learning would fall within the scope of these stories, I’d encourage my Kiwi readers to make submissions.

No images? Click here

COVID-19 Inquiry Pānui

In this issue:

  • An update from our Chair, Professor Blakely
  • Launching public submissions and feedback on the terms of reference
  • Release of Minute 3
  • Engagement update

A word from our Chair, Professor Tony Blakely

Kia ora koutou,
An important part of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19’s work is to understand what happened to people during the pandemic and why.

For that reason, I’m pleased to let you know that as of today – 8 February 2024 – we’ve launched a dedicated online submission site – www.covid19inquiry.nz – in order to hear from people about their experiences of the pandemic. Submissions will be open until 24 March 2024.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected all of us, and New Zealanders – both here and living overseas – were asked to undertake extraordinary actions during this time. We want to hear about the wide range of experiences people had, and their observations of the pandemic, whatever they might be.

And it really is important that we do hear these stories. The unfortunate reality is that there will be another pandemic, and we need to take this opportunity to learn the lessons, both from our own experiences and from those overseas, so that we’re as prepared as possible.

As you might recall, it was our intention to seek public input from November last year, but we delayed this due to the likelihood of our terms of reference changing.

The Government announced on Friday 2 February that it is committed to expanding the Inquiry’s terms of reference and has asked us to undertake consultation, on its behalf, on a broader, clarified scope for the Inquiry. Feedback on the terms of reference will be gathered alongside our public submissions process, and will be provided to the Department of Internal Affairs.  They will then provide advice to the Government ahead of any changes that might be made to the scope of the Inquiry. As a result of this consultation, the Inquiry may be asked to look at additional aspects of the COVID-19 response.

While we’re looking at a wide range of COVID-19 related topics, such as mandates and other public health measures, and a variety of social and economic matters, we recognise there are additional topics that people might like us to consider, and likely useful clarifications to make (for example, regarding the scope and depth of inquiry into vaccine effectiveness).

During February and March, we’ll be letting people know how they can make a submission on the terms of reference, and how they can share their story through a public information campaign that will get underway from Sunday 11 February. While changes to our terms of reference will likely alter how we analyse what we’ve been told, everyone should feel free to make submissions on any aspects of the pandemic.

We’ll also have a presence at some public events, like community markets and A&P shows, during the consultation period to encourage people to share their experiences.

We really do want to hear from you. Please take the time to share your story with us, and don’t assume that your experience was the same as everyone else’s – it could very well be different. We’ve certainly learnt that from the many direct engagements we’ve undertaken in these past nine months or so. And if you see me at an event in the coming months, or my fellow Commissioner John Whitehead, do come and talk to us. It would be great to hear your reflections and perspective.

Heoi ano ra,

Professor Tony Blakely

Royal Commission Chair

Share your story: public submissions open

You can share your COVID-19 story with the Royal Commission and provide feedback on our terms of reference at www.covid19inquiry.nz.

By sharing your COVID-19 story, you can contribute to Inquiry’s work to help Aotearoa New Zealand prepare for future pandemics.

By providing feedback on the terms of reference, you can tell the Government if you think the Inquiry’s terms of reference should be broadened.

You can take part in both consultations, or just one.

Submission forms and information about both consultations are available in English, New Zealand Sign Language, te reo Māori, Samoan, Tongan, Hindi, and Chinese. There is also accessible information about the process available in New Zealand Sign Language, Braille, Audio, Easy Read, and Large Print. Please note that some resources may not yet be available.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Release of Minute 3

In early December 2023, we published “Minute 3: Inquiry procedures for public and other submissions” on our website.

Minute 3 focuses on the procedures for our early and public submission processes; specifically, it outlines how we will treat any information that we receive through these forums. Please note that the consultation on the terms of reference is not subject to Minutes released by the Inquiry.

Key points to note are:

  • All information we receive, including submissions, will be private and confidential under our interim non-publication orders (more information on this is outlined in “Minute 1: Interim non-publication orders”).
  • Any personal information provided to us through our public submissions process will be kept confidential, even after the interim non-publication order is lifted.
  • Anyone who provides a submission through our public submissions process can request that their submission remain permanently confidential. If this request is made, it will be granted.
  • If you and/or your organisation provided a written submission as part of our early submissions process, and would like to have areas of your submission be made permanently confidential, please let us know. If this request is approved, a redacted version of your submission will be transferred to Archives New Zealand at the end of the Inquiry (along with all other evidence).
  • Once we have provided our report to the Governor-General, you will be able to publish your submission (provided it is not covered by a permanent non-publication order).

As we receive and analyse submissions, we may share themes and anonymised quotes on our website, social media platforms, and in our newsletter.

Minute 3 complements our Minute 1 and Minute 2, and can be found in the Procedural Minutes section of our website.

Commission continues nation-wide engagements

The Royal Commission continued to engage with organisations and individuals across the country throughout December 2023.

This included forums with food suppliers, sexual and family violence support organisations, groups representing older people, the Rainbow community, and the construction sector. The Royal Commission also continued to meet with representatives from the health and education sectors, including Hato Hone St John, Wellington Free Ambulance, and the New Zealand Nurses Organisation.

Engagements across Aotearoa New Zealand will continue throughout the first quarter of 2024. You can view the full record of Inquiry engagements on our website.

Auckland engagements 2023

Over the past year, the Royal Commission of Inquiry has spoken to organisations and individuals across Aotearoa New Zealand. Take a look at the people we’ve spoken with in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland so far in the video above.

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