Last updated:
Wednesday, 15 September 2021
Kāpuia provides independent advice to the Government on its response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attack on Christchurch mosques, and to make New Zealand a safer, more inclusive country for everyone.
The name Kāpuia reflects the importance of the group’s work for the future of Aotearoa New Zealand. Kāpuia comes from the whakataukī or proverb “Ki te Kotahi te kākaho ka whati, ki te kāpuia e kore e whati”. This whakataukī means if there is only one reed, it breaks easily, but gather many together they will not break. For our mahi, our work, these reeds reflect the different cultures in New Zealand, and when we all come together, we are strong and cannot be broken. By standing together in New Zealand, we will enhance social cohesion and create a safer country for everyone - by being together we cannot help but have each other’s backs.
The Group was established in response to recommendation 44 of the Royal Commission of Inquiry report: to establish an Implementation Oversight Advisory Group. A draft Terms of Reference has been written and will be finalised by the end of the year.
Information and Advice from Kāpuia
Kāpuia will release information about its meetings to enhance transparency about its work programme, usually after matters have been considered by ministers. The table below includes information from Kāpuia and its advice to Ministers and their responses.
| July 2 2021 |
Statement from Kāpuia following its first meeting on Wednesday 30th of June. |
|---|---|
| August 30 2021 |
Following its second meeting on 28 July, Kāpuia wrote to the Lead Coordination Minister to express concerns about the Government’s current community consultations around social cohesion and incitement of hatred and discrimination, and about government agencies consultations with communities more generally. On 6 August, the Ministry for Social Development extended its online survey on social cohesion until 10 September this year, this can be found at Social Cohesion Consultation Hub - Citizen Space. On 23 August, Minister Little responded to Kāpuia. On 31 August, the Ministry of Justice responded to Kāpuia’s concerns about the consultation on incitement. On 1 September, the Ministry of Social Development responded to Kāpuia’s concerns about the consultation on social cohesion. |
| 18 October 2021 |
Following its third meeting on 9 September, Kāpuia wrote to the Lead Coordination Minister. The letter especially acknowledged the New Lynn terror attack. Kāpuia again emphasised the importance of more effective government engagement and consultation processes with communities. Kāpuia also sought clarity on the Government's priorities for acting on the Royal Commission of Inquiry's Recommendations and asked for assurance that adequate funding is available to implement the Government response work programme. On 12 October Minister Little responded to Kāpuia. |
Members of Kāpuia
The Chair of the Ministerial Advisory Group is Arihia Bennett MNZM (also the CEO of Ngāi Tahu).
The members of the Ministerial Advisory Group are:
Arihia Bennett MNZM (chair)
Abdur Razzaq Khan
Aliya Danzeisen
Arif Ali
Bariz Shah
Bernard O'Donnell
Claire Appleby-Phillips
Deborah James
Edwina Pio
Eva Chen
Imam Gamal Fouda
Haris Murtaza
Huia Bramley
Jennifer Khan-Janif
Joycelyn Raffills
Katherine Dedo
Katrina Azer
Kodrean Eashae
Maysoon Salama
Mai Tamimi
Melani Anae
Mustafa Derbashi MNZM
Nissa Mowjood
Noeleen van de Lisdonck
Pamela MacNeill
Parminder Kaur
Patrick O'Connor
Radiya Ali
Richard Leung
Tahirah Moton
Shaystah Dean
Stephen Goodman
These thirty-two people are from diverse backgrounds across Aotearoa, and include affected whānau, survivors and witnesses, representative communities, civil society, local government and the private sector.
If you have questions about the Group or would like to get in contact, please email kapuia@dpmc.govt.nz