Together, these agencies including the IPCA, have joint responsibility to uphold New Zealand's commitment to the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Forms of Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment (OPCAT).

During that year, Prime Minister Helen Clark announced a Commission would be established to carry out an independent investigation into the way in which the New Zealand Police had dealt with allegations of sexual assault.

It reviewed 313 complaints of sexual assault against 222 police officers, including 141 that Dame Margaret said were credible enough for legal action.

[7] As a Statutory Crown Entity, the members of the board are appointed by the Governor-General of New Zealand on the advice and reccomendation of Parliament, to a term of 5 years.

[12][13][14] While most members of the New Zealand public support increasing the available resources and enforcement powers of the IPCA as a means of ensuring high levels of trust in police.

[10] A lack of accountability under the OIA makes it easier for the IPCA to conduct investigations and maintain confidentiality with police and complainants, but it likewise presents challenges in ensuring transparency and open justice.

[11][13] In particular, as has been pointed out over the years, the IPCA has found virtually all police involved shooting fatalaties were justifiable[10] however the reasoning behind these conclusions is not known.

[21] In 2011, the IPCA released a report on the outcome of its Inquiry into Police handling of child abuse cases which began in August 2009.

The report revealed there had been 27 such deaths in the last ten years and raised serious concerns about inadequate risk assessment procedures used by police.

Following their review, the IPCA made 20 recommendations, including better training being provided to officers about the dangers associated with restraining people in a prone position with their hands tied behind their back and that detainees who are unconscious or semi-conscious and cannot answer questions and/or physically look after themselves "must be taken to hospital".

[28] The road blocks established by police at Ruatoki and Taneatua used to detain and search people were also "unlawful, unjustified and unreasonable".

Chairman Sir David Carruthers said: "The authority recommends that police re-engage with Tuhoe and take appropriate steps to build bridges with the Ruatoki community.