ARTICLE · 29 NOVEMBER 2010

Royal Commission into Pike River tragedy

Chapman Tripp

The Royal Commission of Inquiry is the most prestigious instrument of investigation available in New Zealand and is reserved for the most serious or complex issues: the Erebus crash (1979), the move to proportional representation (1986), social policy (1988), the ‘Wine Box’ (1994), the Cave Creek disaster (1995), genetic modification (2000), the ‘Super City’ (2007) and – now – the Pike River mining tragedy.

New ZealandLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration

Victoria Heine

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The Royal Commission of Inquiry is the most prestigious instrument of investigation available in New Zealand and is reserved for the most serious or complex issues: the Erebus crash (1979), the move to proportional representation (1986), social policy (1988), the 'Wine Box' (1994), the Cave Creek disaster (1995), genetic modification (2000), the 'Super City' (2007) and – now – the Pike River mining tragedy.

This Brief Counsel examines the legislation that empowers such a Commission, the roles and responsibilities it imposes, and the treatment of Commissions of Inquiry in the New Zealand courts.

Commission membership

The Royal Commission will be chaired by Justice Graham Panckhurst, a sitting High Court judge. Two other Commissioners with relevant expertise in mining and safety regulation will also be appointed.

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Royal Commission into Pike River tragedy

Commission membership

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