Children's Minister Karen Chhour. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Children's Minister Karen Chhour has announced a new Child Protection Investigation Unit, aimed at looking into cases of harm in state care.
In a statement on Friday, Chhour said the unit would be led by the current Chief Inspector of New Zealand's prisons, Janis Adair.
It would be made up of independent experts, and tasked with "rigourous and transparent" investigation of cases of state care harm.
Its other responsibilities would include finding systemic problems at the Children's Ministry Oranga Tamariki, working with the Abuse in Care Crown Response Office, and promoting accountability across the state care system.
The unit will be led by Janis Adair. Photo: Supplied / Office of the Inspectorate
It would operate independently to ensure each investigation was separate from the day-to-day business of the ministry. Terms of reference and structure would be decided by the end of the year, with the unit expected to be operational in early 2025.
The minister said the unit's creation reflected the government's commitment to learn from past failures and restore trust in the care system.
"We must escalate concerns and respond with urgency and accuracy," she said.
"This is one way we can ensure children in care are not harmed or subjected to the same treatment of the many survivors who shared their stories with the nation.
"The report released by the Royal Commission into abuse in state care shows us all the risk of not acting immediately when there are serious concerns and complaints about the care provided for children."
Chhour said it was another step in improving the ministry and putting into action the words of chief executive Andrew Bridgman, who was one of the public sector leaders to say sorry at Parliament during the formal apology this month.
Adair was a nurse in the Army medical services before becoming a police detective in the United Kingdom.
After returning to New Zealand, she worked for the Independent Police Conduct Authority, then went back to the UK to work at the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.
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