History

The Authority’s Inquiry into Police handling of child abuse cases began in August 2009.

A Police report in 2008 found widespread failings in management of child abuse cases in the Wairarapa District. Those failings included  poor case management and workload management, poor supervision, and a lack of accountability and responsibility. An operation was launched in December that year to complete outstanding investigations for 108 Wairarapa child abuse cases and, where necessary, launch prosecutions.

The first prosecutions under the Police operation went before the Court in mid-2009. In August, a Judge in the Masterton District Court criticised Police for the two-year delay in prosecuting a man for assaults on his daughters in 2006 and 2007.

The Authority was notified in June 2009 of the delays in the Wairarapa district. Initially, the Authority oversaw and then directed the Police response. However, in August, as further information was received about the possible scope of the problem, the Authority opted to launch its own independent investigation. The Police at that time acknowledged that the delays had been unacceptable and publicly apologised.

The Authority in September established a dedicated investigative and legal team devoted solely to its child abuse inquiry. Following receipt of information that delays have also occurred in other Districts, the Authority widened its Inquiry from Wellington District to cover the whole of New Zealand.

The Authority’s Inquiry includes an audit of child abuse cases throughout New Zealand, consideration of submissions from Police staff and others with specific knowledge about Police handling of child abuse cases, and independent investigation of complaints about handling of child abuse cases. In addition, the Authority is continuing to oversee and direct Police investigations aimed at clearing the Wairarapa backlog and determining whether there are issues in other parts of New Zealand.

In May 2010 the Authority released Part I of the report of its Inquiry, recommending Police undertake an extensive series of improvements to practices, policies, and procedures for the investigation of child abuse.