4. Recommendations to support the ongoing recovery needs of affected whanau, survivors and witnesses

4.1 Ongoing support for affected whānau, survivors and witnesses required

1

We heard from affected whānau, survivors and witnesses of the 15 March 2019 terrorist attack that, in addition to the grief and suffering they are dealing with, they also face the complexities of navigating the Public sector systems of support (Part 3, chapter 3). We heard that there is a lack of coordination between Public sector agencies.

2

Some affected whānau, survivors and witnesses will need ongoing wellbeing support for years to come. We understand some support for some affected whānau, survivors and witnesses has been either not offered or scaled back. The government must not shy away from delivering support on an ongoing basis in an effective, efficient and culturally appropriate manner.

3

To reduce the burden arising from the lack of coordination in Public sector support (Part 3, chapter 3), each affected whānau, survivor and/or witness should be assigned a continuing single point of contact or navigator. While some navigator services were provided in the initial period following the terrorist attack, support has since significantly diminished. Services are provided in a light-touch way with less face-to-face engagement.

4

We see a long-term role for navigators to work with affected whānau, survivors and witnesses to coordinate Public sector support and help to reduce the complexities of dealing with multiple agencies. This should also include consideration of establishing a Collective Impact Network and Board or other appropriate mechanism that enables Public sector agencies, non-government organisations and affected whānau, survivors and witnesses to agree a specific work programme to provide ongoing wrap-around services to affected whānau, survivors and witnesses.⁴ Deciding the optimal organisational form would be best worked through by Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission in conjunction with relevant Public sector agencies.

5

We were asked to consider combining any further legal processes that affected whānau, survivors and witnesses may wish to go through into a single restorative process to support affected whānau, survivors and witnesses in their recovery (Part 3, chapter 3). For example, this could include a restorative justice process with those affected whānau, survivors and witnesses who wish to engage with the individual, noting that such a restorative justice process would require the individual being willing to take part.

6

There may be further legal and other processes that affected whānau, survivors and witnesses wish to engage in too. We consider it critical that affected whānau, survivors and witnesses are engaged with in an empowering way – that is, they are given the opportunity to collaborate in the design and delivery of such processes. This may require special legislation. This will help minimise the trauma that may come with participating in further processes in which they need to share their stories and evidence, while supporting their recovery and ensure a fair and just outcome.

4.2 Other matters relating to affected whānau, survivors and witnesses

7

A few submissions asked us to consider recommending compensation or other reparations for affected whānau, survivors and witnesses. We did not consider that the question of financial support, compensation or ex gratia payments fitted easily within our Terms of Reference. We leave them for direct discussion between those affected whānau, survivors and witnesses and the government in light of the conclusions reached in this report. 

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_{4. A Collective Impact Network and Collective Impact Board are solutions provided in a system design toolkit for Public sector agencies addressing cross-agency problems, where a third layer approach is required in which agencies are working together at the frontline or community level. See Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission System design toolkit for organising around shared problems (2018) https://www.publicservice.govt.nz/assets/Legacy/resources/sdt-cover.pdf.}