Independent Reviewer - Historic Abuse Redress

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Independent contracted engagement | As required | Daily rate plus agreed expenses

The Crown Response Office is seeking an experienced and highly credible professional to undertake the role of Independent Reviewer, supporting an independent review pathway for survivors of abuse in State care.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to an important part of New Zealand's redress system, providing survivors who are dissatisfied with an eligible redress claim outcome with access to a fair, timely and independent review.

About the role

The Independent Reviewer will independently review eligible redress claim outcomes and make clear, evidence-based and well-reasoned non-binding recommendations to the relevant redress agency.

Reviews may consider the process followed by an agency, the decision about whether to make a settlement offer, and the amount of any settlement offer. The Reviewer will consider whether decisions are consistent with applicable redress policies and agency guidance and with principles of procedural fairness and sound administrative decision-making.

The role is independent of redress agency decision-making. It does not make final agency decisions, overturn decisions, approve settlement payments or direct agencies to provide a particular outcome.

You may also engage directly with survivors as part of the review process, requiring a respectful, sensitive and trauma-informed approach.

What you'll bring

We are looking for someone with substantial experience in one or more of the following areas:

• independent review or decision-making

• dispute or complaints resolution

• investigations

• administrative decision-making

• redress schemes

• legal practice or a related field.

You will be confident analysing complex and sometimes disputed information, applying policy, guidance and legal or administrative principles, and producing clear, robust and well-reasoned recommendations.

You'll bring excellent judgement and integrity, an ability to maintain independence and impartiality, and the confidence to work sensitively with people affected by trauma.

An understanding of historical and institutional abuse claims, including the context and findings of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, would be valuable, as would experience applying trauma-informed practice.

A legal qualification may be advantageous but is not essential. Equivalent expertise in administrative decision-making, dispute resolution, complaints, investigations or redress will also be considered.

The ability to apply TeTiriti o Waitangi, teao Māori, tikanga and kawa to support fair, culturally responsive review processes is also important.

Engagement arrangements

This is an independent contracted engagement rather than an employment position.

The Independent Reviewer will be appointed by the Chief Executive of the Crown Response Office and engaged to undertake review work on an as-needed basis.

Services will be invoiced at an agreed daily rate, together with agreed expenses incurred in carrying out the role. The volume and timing of work will depend on demand for independent reviews.

The independent review function will be supported by a secretariat function, with the role operating independently from redress agency decision-making.

How to apply

Please provide a CV and a short cover letter outlining the experience and expertise you would bring to the Independent Reviewer role.

Applications close: 5 November 2026

For further information please email careersatcrownresponseoffice@publicservice.govt.nz