The Inquiry worked with five Advisory Groups and eight Report Reference Groups. These groups provided the Inquiry with support, guidance and advice.

Advisory groups

Survivor Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE)
Kaitohutohu Toiora

The Survivor Advisory Group of Experts was set up in 2019 to represent survivors of abuse and neglect in State and faith-based care.

SAGE provided the Inquiry with guidance and support on engaging with survivors and their representative organisations. SAGE members were appointed to ensure diversity and representation, and for their skills and experience. 

There were six members of SAGE when the Inquiry closed: 

• Gary Williams (Ngāti Porou)
• Jim Goodwin
• Keith Wiffin
• Moeapulu Frances Tagaloa  (Samoa)
• Rūpene Amato (Samoa, Ngāti Kahungunu, Te Aitanga ā Māhaki, Ngāti Mākoro) 
• Tu Chapman (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Awa)

Te Taumata

Te Taumata provided the Inquiry with strategic advice to ensure it implemented an effective te Tiriti o Waitangi-based approach. Te Taumata also provided guidance and advice on the Inquiry’s engagements with Māori.  

There were five members of Te Taumata when the Inquiry closed:

• Prue Kapua, Chair (Ngāti Whakaue, Te Arawa, Ngāti Kahungunu)
• Eugene Ryder (Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Awa)
• Haimona Waititi (Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Ngāti Porou, Kai Tahu)
• Liz Mellish (Te Atiawa, Taranaki, Ngāti Ruanui)
• Shirley Ikkala (Ngāti Whātua ki Ōrakei, Cook Islands)

Royal Commission Forum

The Royal Commission Forum was a group of survivors, advocates and academics that formed independently of the Inquiry. From late 2021, the Inquiry began meeting regularly with the Royal Commission Forum and sought their feedback and advice.

There were eight members of the forum when the Inquiry closed:

• Professor David MacDonald
• Professor Elizabeth Stanley
• Dr Hilary Stace
• Dr Judith Aitken CNZM QSO
• Liz Tonks
• Dr Oliver Sutherland ONZM
• Rosslyn Noonan CNZM
• Dr Stephen Winter

Te Ara Takatū

Te Ara Takatū is a name shared by a kaupapa, a hui, a report and a self-appointed group of Māori-led survivors, kaupapa Māori advocates and academics that formed independently of the Inquiry.  From late 2021, the Inquiry began meeting regularly with Te Ara Takatū and sought their feedback and advice.

There were ten members of Te Ara Takatū when that Inquiry closed:

• Annette Sykes
• David Stone
• Denise Messiter, ONZM
• Dr Fleur Te Aho
• Hera Clarke
• Karl Tauri
• Louis Coster
• Dr Rawiri Taonui
• Dr Rawiri Waretini-Karena
• Professor Tracey McIntosh, MNZM

Pou Tikanga

Pou Tikanga were appointed to provide tikanga and te reo Māori advice to the Inquiry. Members were chosen for their expertise. There were five members of Pou Tikanga:

• Dr Hana O'Regan, ONZM
• Moe Milne
• Paraone Gloyne
• Te Mauri Kingi
• Waihoroi Paraone Hōterene

Reference Groups

The Inquiry’s Report Reference Group members included experts, academics, researchers, and those with lived experience. Members had extensive networks in their respective areas. Collectively they brought knowledge and expertise and provided a range of personal and professional experience to the work of the Inquiry.

• Disability Reference Group 
• Mental Health Reference Group 
• Deaf Reference Group 
• Pacific Reference Group 
• Rangatahi Reference Group
• Social Welfare Reference Group 
• Faith Reference Group 
• Lake Alice Reference Group

These are the members of the Reference Groups that consented to their names being published. During the life of the Inquiry a few members resigned due to other work commitments or personal reasons.