Source: New Zealand Government
The Government has appointed eight members to a Ministerial Advisory Group to provide advice on the Crown’s approach and response to recommendations from the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry.
The eight members are: Alana Ruakere as Chair, David Crichton, Frances Tagaloa KSO, Gary Williams KSO MNZM, Helen Leahy, Linda Surtees MNZM, Paul Gibson QSO, and Dr Valerie Tan JP.
“The Group will provide me and other relevant Ministers with independent advice on the Crown’s response to abuse in care” Lead Coordination Minister Erica Stanford says.
“Collectively the members provide a range of lived experience from survivors and survivor advocates to an understanding of care settings.
“This diverse range of perspectives and expertise will enable constructive discussions and advice on the monitoring, oversight and implementation of the Crown response. I am looking forward to working with them”, says Ms Stanford.
“I want to take this opportunity to announce that Gary Williams KSO MNZM has also been appointed as the newest member of the Survivor Experiences Board, he will join Frances Tagaloa KSO who is the current Co-Chair of the Board and a new member to the Ministerial Advisory Group as well.
Biographies for Ministerial Advisory Group Members
Alana Ruakere, Chair
Alana Ruakere is currently Pou Tū Kūrae (Chief Executive) of Tui Ora, Taranaki’s largest Māori health and social service provider where she leads integrated services across mental health, primary care, disability, and whānau wellbeing. As a former Director of the Crown Response Unit, Alana led the initial government response to the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry, coordinating across agencies.
David Crichton, Member
David Crichton is a survivor of State and faith-based care, drawing on over 50 years of lived experience to inform national work on redress, survivor engagement, and care reform. He contributed to the Royal Commission’s public hearings and was appointed by Hon Andrew Little to the Redress Advisory Group. David has previously advised on survivor engagement, record-keeping, listening services and the public apology design. He contributes to the SAGE group on faith-based redress and Oranga Tamariki’s CPIU Steering Group.
Valerie Tan, Member
Dr Valerie Tan JP is a clinical psychologist, academic, and governance leader with expertise in trauma, mental health, and equity. She works across Te Whatu Ora, private practice, and the University of Otago, focusing on complex trauma and abuse recovery. Valerie holds ministerial appointments to the NZ Psychologists Board and Film and Literature Board of Review and serves as a judicial Justice of the Peace. She is a co-founder of the Asian Psychology Collective Aotearoa and has led community advocacy through Shakti and the Dunedin Multi-Ethnic Council. Valerie has also recently been appointed to the Human Rights Review Tribunal.
Gary Williams, Member
Gary Williams KSO MNZM (Ngati Porou) is a tangata whaikaha survivor of abuse in care with over 50 years’ experience navigating and challenging care systems, he brings deep insight into institutional harm and the transformations needed for a safer, more accountable future. He served on the Survivor Advisory Group of Experts to the Royal Commission and the Redress Design Group selection panel, contributing a lived, strategic perspective to system reform. He is also a member of the Survivor Experiences Board.
Paul Gibson, Member
Paul Gibson QSO served as a Commissioner on the Abuse in Care Royal Commission (2018–2024) and was New Zealand’s first Disability Rights Commissioner, where he initiated the call for the inquiry. Paul has chaired multiple ministerial and human rights groups, including the CRPD Monitoring Mechanism and NZ Disability Strategy working groups, and is past Chief Executive of Visable, and works on projects preventing and responding to the abuse of disabled adults.
Helen Leahy, Member
Helen Leahy is a former Chief Executive of the South Island Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency (Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu) and is now leading Ngā Waihua o Paerangi (Ngāti Rangi). Helen’s governance record spans key ministerial panels including the Modernising Child, Youth & Family Expert Panel, Oranga Tamariki Māori Design Group, and Energy Hardship Expert Panel. Helen has driven innovative commissioning models that translate Māori aspirations into measurable social impact. Her work blends strategic insight with on‑the‑ground leadership across health, education, justice, and social services
Frances Tagaloa, Member
Frances Tagaloa KSO is a survivor of abuse in Catholic care. She was the first survivor to testify in the Catholic Church hearing of the Royal Commission and served on its Survivor Advocacy Group of Experts (SAGE). Frances brings strong governance and operational leadership through her roles as Chief of Staff for Campus Crusade for Christ and Chief Operating Officer with Tandem Ministries. She co-chairs the Survivor Experiences Services Board and serves on the board of Te Roopu Toiora.
Linda Surtees, Member
Linda Surtees MNZM is a nationally recognised leader in child protection and caregiving, with over 20 years’ experience in frontline care, policy reform, and sector leadership. As CEO of Caring Families Aotearoa, she has led national initiatives including the introduction of National Care Standards and advocacy to raise the age of care, grounded in her early work as a carer to over 100 tamariki and rangatahi. Linda has contributed to multiple ministerial and strategic groups, including the Extraordinary Care Fund Panel, Financial Assistance Reform group, and National Care Strategy Reference Group.