QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS

Questions and Answers

When will the Royal Commission report be available?

The Royal Commission on the Pike River Coal Mine Tragedy is due to report to the Governor General by Friday 28 September 2012.

This is the last formal act of the Commission. Once presented, the report then becomes the Government’s.

The Commission will not be releasing or commenting on the report. Under its terms of reference, the “Commission must not at any time publish or

otherwise disclose, except to the Governor General the contents or purport of any report”.

UPDATE:

The Commission has completed its work, and delivered its report as required by its terms of reference.

Any inquiries should be directed to info@dia.govt.nz or to the Department of Internal Affairs www.dia.govt.nz.

When are the Royal Commission hearings?

The timetable for hearings can be found here: Commission Hearings.

Will the Royal Commission hearings be open to the public?

Yes. Transcripts from the hearings are also available at the end of each day of hearings on this website.

Where can I find out information about the workings and progress of the Royal Commission?

This website will provide information and updates on the Royal Commission’s. It will be regularly updated. An electronic newsletter will be released monthly. To subscribe please email pikeriver@royalcommission.govt.nz. Media releases will be issued as required.

What is the Commission’s approach to the public availability of information provided to the Commission?

The Commission obtains information from a variety of sources for the purpose of conducting its inquiries.

It has three overarching principles relating to information received and its release:

Information is provided to the Commission for the purposes of the Commission’s inquiries.
The Commission will be open with its information wherever possible.
Release of any information, public or restricted, should not be to the detriment of the Commission’s ability to inquire.

The Commission’s policy on the public availability of information includes recognition of the use of the Commission’s website to provide information, the hearings being open to the public and the daily hearing transcripts being available online.

Participants must have confidence the Commission will use the information for the purposes of its inquiries. Before making information public the Commission will consider factors including any impact on its inquiries, whether it contains private information, is subject to other investigations or is commercially sensitive.

What will the Royal Commission’s report look like?

As well as reporting on the matters in the Terms of Reference, the Royal Commission is required to make recommendations about:

Preventing similar disasters and the safe working of mines in the future;
What ought to be done to ensure the safety of the mine and surrounding area if the mine is not reopened;
Search, rescue and recovery operations in similar disasters;
Any changes to the relevant laws and practices.

Is the Royal Commission independent?

Yes. The Royal Commission operates independently of government but receives administrative assistance from the Department of Internal Affairs.

If I have a query about the Royal Commission who do I contact?