New Zealand’s Experience With Royal Commissions and Commissions of Inquiry

Abstract

This article looks at New Zealand’s experience with commissions of inquiry in its various forms. The article draws attention to changes to the use made by New Zealand governments of this particular investigative instrument, documenting changes in the frequency and composition of commissions of inquiry from 1909 onwards. The effect of broader changes to the New Zealand policy environment on the use of formal commissions of inquiry is noted, and the article also highlights the availability of options other than commissions of inquiry for governments wishing to see a particular topic made the subject of a special investigation.