Public and Government Inquiries
The Department of Internal Affairs provides administrative assistance to Public and Government Inquiries established under the Inquiries Act 2013.
These Inquiries are able to inquire into any matter of public importance or concern to the Government of the day.
Public Inquiries include Royal Commissions, which are appointed by and report to the Governor-General, and the Inquiry report is tabled in Parliament.
Government Inquiries are appointed by and report to a Minister and the intention is that these are simpler and quicker to establish.
Both types of Inquiry have the same legal powers.
The type of inquiry is decided upon after discussions between Ministers and officials, with advice from Crown Law Office and State Services Commission as required.
See information about the Inquiries Act 2013.
Some recent inquiries
- Government Inquiry into Havelock North Drinking-Water (current)
- Government Inquiry into Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC) Contamination Incident (reported on 28 November 2014)
- Government Inquiry into allegations regarding Hon. Judith Collins and a former Director of the Serious Fraud Office (reported on 28 November 2014)
- Royal Commission of Inquiry into Building Failure Caused by the Canterbury Earthquakes (reported Part 1 on 29 June 2012, Part 2 on 10 October 2012, and Part 3 on 29 November 2012)
- Royal Commission on the Pike River Coal Mine tragedy (reported on 30 October 2012)
- Royal Commission on Auckland Governance (reported on 31 March 2009)
- Commission of Inquiry into Police Conduct (reported on 3 April 2007)
- Royal Commission on Genetic Modification (reported on 27 July 2001)
