Eight Royal Commission recommendations into March 15 terror attack binned

Friday, 2 August 2024

Announcement on the coordinated cross-government response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Terrorist Attack on Christchurch Mosques

The Government has decided eight of the recommendations included in the final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the March 15 terror attack will not be implemented.

It comes as Judith Collins, lead coordination minister for the Government’s response to the report, on Friday announced the conclusion of the Government response.

On March 15, 2019, a terrorist opened fire on worshippers at the Al Noor mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre in Christchurch, killing 51 people and injuring dozens of others.

Judith Collins, Lead Co-ordination Minister for the Government’s Response to the Royal Commission’s Report into the Terrorist Attack on the Christchurch Mosques, and Matt Doocey, Government Liaison for the March 15 Community, at the Justice Precinct in Christchurch, where they announced that the Government would not implement eight of the report's recommendations.

A Royal Commission of Inquiry into the attacks was established and released its final report to the public in December 2020.

It featured 44 recommendations, including measures to improve New Zealand’s counter-terrorism efforts, an overhaul of the firearms licensing system, a review of hate-speech legislation, and the establishment of a new national intelligence and security agency.

“The Royal Commission of Inquiry raised a number of issues around safety and security, and work has been ongoing to address those concerns,” said Collins.

Collins said 36 of the 44 recommendations have either been implemented or “are being integrated into ongoing work programmes”.

“Now, five years since that terrible day and in light of that ongoing work, it is the right time to conclude the co-ordinated response. However, that does not mean the work stops.”

She was speaking from the justice precinct in Christchurch after meeting members of the Muslim community earlier in the day.

Collins said the Royal Commission’s 44 recommendations were “thoroughly considered”.

“Thirty-six have either been implemented or are being integrated into ongoing work programmes, while the remaining eight will not be progressing. Any remaining work will be embedded into what government agencies do every day,” Collins said.

“Our commitment remains the same - to ensure a safe and secure country for all our communities.”

Collins acknowledged the March 15 survivors, their families and the witnesses to the attacks “who have all been at the centre of the response from the beginning”.