I’ll be long gone before the Royal Commission’s evidence is released

The 30-year suppression of evidence and submissions from the inquiry into the March 15 terrorist attack sets an unwelcome precedent, writes former race relations commissioner Joris de Bres.  The final act of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Terrorist Attack on Christchurch Mosques was to suppress for 30 years all the evidence it received … Read more

What’s missing from the report into the Christchurch terrorist attack

The weakness of the Royal Commission report is that it treats Islamist extremist terrorism and extreme right white nationalist terrorism as different categories, when in fact they are part of the same problem, argues former Green MP Keith Locke. Much of the commentary on the Royal Commission report into the Christchurch terrorist attacks falls short … Read more

March 15, right-wing extremism, and the systemic failures of NZ’s intelligence agencies

The Royal Commission report makes it clear that foreign intelligence partners and domestic intelligence agencies saw right-wing extremism as a low-priority local law enforcement issue, not a pressing national security threat, writes Paul G Buchanan. If one phrase sums up the Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report on the Christchurch terrorist attacks, it is “systemic failure”. … Read more

The inquiry may be over, but the fight against white extremism is just beginning

The government has accepted the Royal Commission’s recommendations, but the job is far from done, says Abbas Nazari – we underestimate the threat of white supremacy at our peril. With the government making an “in-principle” commitment to all 44 of the recommendations made by the Royal Commission, no doubt the response to the Christchurch mosque … Read more

‘We must recognise an Australian terrorist committed these atrocities – radicalised on our soil’

The shadow minister for multicultural affairs has made a statement to the Australian parliament calling for reflection and action on the Christchurch mosque attack. Andrew Giles, the opposition spokesperson for multicultural affairs in Australia, has called on his compatriots to take heed of the Royal Commission into the Christchurch mosque terror attack that was released … Read more

With this report on the Christchurch terror attacks, is NZ now ready to face its demons?

Aotearoa’s challenges are clear, but it is incumbent, too, on the Australian government to launch an inquiry of its own – the society that shaped the terrorist and the failure of its own intelligence services, writes Anjum Rahman. My first impression on reading the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Terrorist Attacks … Read more

‘On behalf of the government, I apologise’: Jacinda Ardern on Royal Commission report into terror attacks

The prime minister’s speech in response to the publication of the Royal Commission inquiry report.  The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Terror Attack in Christchurch on March 15 has delivered a comprehensive report that will form the basis of a significant work programme to make New Zealand a safer and ultimately I hope, a … Read more

Ardern apologises as Royal Commission on March 15 attacks calls for spy agency overhaul

The Royal Commission into the Christchurch attack has made 44 recommendations, including a sweeping overhaul and expansion of New Zealand’s national security state. Justin Giovannetti reports from parliament. New Zealand’s security services knew almost nothing about the the terrorist’s intentions before the Christchurch attack and could have done very little to stop him, the long-awaited … Read more

The gap at the heart of the Royal Commission on the Christchurch terrorist attacks

The inquiry is of real value, but predetermined terms of reference, a lack of transparency and an inherent conflict of interest limits its potential to deliver the scrutiny and change Aotearoa needs, writes Anjum Rahman, a member of the Commission’s Muslim Community Reference Group. The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Terrorist Attacks on Christchurch … Read more

The Royal Commission won’t change the reality of being Muslim in New Zealand

While the March 15 terrorist was not on the intelligence agencies’ radar, Haamid Ben Fayed has been. He hopes the inquiry will be a chance to address the systemic discrimination faced by Muslims in this country – but, as he tells Jo Malcolm, he doesn’t hold out much hope for change. Haamid Ben Fayed thinks … Read more

Why I refuse to appear before the inquiry into the Christchurch mosque attacks

Almost as soon as it was announced, the Royal Commission tasked with probing the lead-up and response to the terrorist attacks in March attracted criticism, both over the process and its engagement with Muslim groups. Former race relations commissioner Joris de Bres was invited to attend today. He won’t be there, however. In a letter … Read more