As part of Budget 2022 [the Treasury guide Putting It Together(external link)(external link) provides an overview of New Zealand’s State sector finance system and how the Budget process works], $14.425 million of funding was provided to ensure the Crown continues to respond to the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry (the Royal Commission) in a timely, joined up way.  The Crown must provide a large volume of material, make witnesses available and respond to the Royal Commission’s requests and findings as it proceeds.

The following table shows how the funding is spread across a number of appropriations [an appropriation is a parliamentary authorisation for the Crown or an Office of Parliament to incur expenses or capital expenditure] and Votes [a Vote is a grouping of one or more appropriations that are the responsibility of a Minister of the Crown and are administered by a department. Votes generally take the name of the portfolio of the Vote Minister].  The funding covers:

• coordination and administration, including the Crown Response Unit which coordinates and drives the cross-agency Crown Response, and acts as the Crown’s key contact point for the Royal Commission;
• specialist research, modelling, engagement, and policy support, to help agencies respond to Royal Commission requests for analysis and to the Royal Commission’s recommendations and findings;
• specialist records management support, including secure records retrieval, digitisation, and processing for both the Royal Commission and care leavers affected by the Royal Commission;
• legal support for representation and procedural matters;
• wellbeing, safety, and cultural support for current and former staff; and
• training and services to NGOs and Crown entities for records management.

The funding is for one year only. The Crown Response applies for funding on a year-by-year basis to ensure it has the right resources to respond to the specific needs of the Royal Commission.