The review into how Labour handled complaints of sexual assault is expected to take up to three months and every party member will be contacted.
Labour Party president Nigel Haworth said the review is expected to take between two and three months. Photo: RNZ / Chris Bramwell
The party this afternoon released the timeframe and terms of reference for the investigation which will be run by senior solicitor Maria Berryman.
Labour called in the independent lawyer after four teenagers reported being harassed by a 20-year-old man at a Young Labour camp last month.
Ms Berryman is to look at the party's policies and procedures for both managing events and handling complaints.
She will consider whether they were followed correctly in February and whether they're adequate to provide a safe environment.
Ms Berryman will also consider any other historical complaints that come to light and "take such steps as she considers appropriate".
However, she won't make any findings about the specific sexual assault allegations in Waihi.
Labour Party president Nigel Haworth said a statement would be issued after the review was complete outlining the party's next steps.
"The Labour Party will fully cooperate with Ms Berryman's requirements in the completion of her review," he said.
"The review is expected to take between two and three months."
All party members would be contacted and could email Ms Berryman confidentially about historical cases at labourreview@kensingtonswan.com
The party would not be making any further comment while the investigation was underway, Mr Haworth said.
Terms of reference
1. Ms Berryman will inquire and report on:
- all Labour Party policies and procedures in relation to Young Labour events, that existed as of February 2018, having regard to all relevant legislation;
- whether such policies and procedures were applied correctly in respect of the February 2018 Young Labour summer camp;
- whether the policies and procedures, when correctly applied, adequately support the Labour Party's objective of providing a safe environment for members and participants;
- all Labour Party policies and procedures in relation to the planning and management of events and the handling of complaints, having regard to all relevant legislation;
- whether such policies and procedures were applied correctly in respect of the February 2018 allegations;
- whether the policies and procedures, when correctly applied, reflect best practice.
2. The Reviewer will not investigate or make findings about the specific allegations of sexual assault, except to the extent of how the policies and processes were applied in relation to the events prior to, and after, the alleged assaults.
3. The Reviewer will make any recommendations for change that she thinks appropriate.
4. In addition, because the possibility of at least one other incident of a similar nature has been raised in the media, the Reviewer will also be available to, and will establish processes to:
- receive any other concerns of issues that any person may wish to raise in relation to previous events (either relating to Young Labour or the Labour Party more generally); and
- take such steps as she considers appropriate in relation to those other issues, having regard to the wishes of those who raise them with her. Those steps may include recommendations to the Labour Party Council.
