Crown Response Unit

The Crown Response Unit was set up in February 2019 to coordinate the Government’s response to the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry. We report to a cross agency sponsoring group of Ministry Chief Executives, and the Minister for the Public Service. The Royal Commission was established in 2018 to investigate the experiences of tamariki, rangatahi and vulnerable adults in State and faith-based care between 1950 and The Commission’s final report and recommendations are due to be delivered by the end of March 2024. The Crown Response Unit is accountable for the overall delivery of the Crown’s response in collaboration with agencies and includes- Developing and coordinating the delivery of the cross-government response work programme - Driving individual agency efforts so they are integrated and deliver the Crown’s response - Acting as the Royal Commission’s main point of contact with the Crown for information and response - Whole of-government communications on the Crown’s response and work programme. The Crown Response Unit is primarily focussed on responding to the Royal Commission's recommendation of the development of a new independent redress system for survivors. The Commission also recommended, and the Government agreed to four immediate pieces of work ahead of the establishment of the new independent redress scheme, including- An interim listening service for survivors of abuse in care - Work to improve survivor’s access to their care records - Rapid payments - Work on a public apology to survivors. The Crown Response Unit is coordinating these workstreams on behalf of the Government.