The Royal Commission’s work will have a big impact on all Crown agencies that care for children and vulnerable adults, but it also gives the Crown a unique opportunity to learn from the past and improve our care systems, now and in the future.
The Minister of State Services, Hon Chris Hipkins has released a Cabinet paper setting out the Crown’s approach to the Royal Commission.
The Cabinet paper sets out, among other things, the six principles that will shape how the Crown will behave, engage and respond to the Royal Commission:
- Manaakitanga.
- Openness.
- Transparency.
- Learning.
- Being joined up.
- Meeting our obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
The principles will need to guide not only the way the Crown engages with the Royal Commission but also its wider engagement with survivors of abuse. They will also help to ensure that Māori experiences in care are more recognised and respected.