Public and Government Inquiries

Background

The Department of Internal Affairs provides administrative assistance to Public and Government Inquiries established under the Inquiries Act 2013.

This short video explains inquiries and how they operate. It also outlines what DIA does and doesn’t do with inquiries:

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 more about different types of government reviews.

Current Inquiries

• LATEST Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Attack on Christchurch Mosques on 15 March 2019
• Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care

Previous inquiries

• Inquiry into Operation Burnham 
  (The Inquiry reported back to the Attorney-General on 17 July 2020. The Terms of Reference require the Inquiry to report to the Attorney-General, and the Inquiry has no authority to release the report publicly. If the Government wishes to release it for wider publication then it will be uploaded to the Inquiry website.)
• Public Inquiry into the Earthquake Commission (report released 9 April 2020)
• Government Inquiry into the Auckland Fuel Supply Disruption (report released 17 September 2019)
• Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction (report released 2 December 2018)
• Government Inquiry into the Appointment Process for a Deputy Police Commissioner (reported 12 November 2018)
• Government Inquiry into Havelock North Drinking-Water (reported Stage 1 on 10 May 2017, Stage 2 on 6 December 2017)
• Government Inquiry into Matters Concerning the Escape of Phillip John Smith/Traynor (reported on August 2015)
• 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)

See more information about the Inquiries Act 2013