35703 (2026). Ingrid Leary to the Minister of Justice

35703 (2026). Ingrid Leary to the Minister of Justice: Is he concerned, given the finding on Lake Alice Hospital by the United Nations Committee Against Torture, that New Zealand had breached the Convention for failing to properly investigate under Article 12 of the Convention, that NZ will again be in breach of the UN Committee Against Torture for failing to properly investigate Wakari Hospital Ward 10A?

Hon Paul Goldsmith: The Ombudsman carried out an inspection of Wakari Hospital Ward 10A in its role as the National Preventive Mechanism under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989 and the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. It is appropriate for the responsible agency to respond to concerns raised by the National Preventive Mechanism in the first instance. I understand that the Ministry of Health has responded swiftly to the Ombudsman’s concerns by commissioning an independent inquiry. As the investigation is ongoing, it would be inappropriate for me to comment any further at this point.