Commission To Resume Consultation Programme In Jan

Commission To Resume Consultation Programme In January

Wellington - 15 December 2000: The Commission concluded its consultation programme for 2000 with a regional hui in Wellington today.

The Formal Hearings will resume in Wellington on 23 January 2001 with submissions from organisations such as Physicians and Scientists for Responsible Genetics, Royal Society of New Zealand, Human Genetic Society of Australasia and New Zealand Council of Trade Unions.

Seven more weeks of Formal Hearings have been scheduled for the new year, including two days in Auckland on 15 and 16 February 2001, one day in Christchurch on 23 February 2001, and two weeks of closing submissions. This Formal Hearing process will conclude on 22 March 2001.

In its first seven weeks of hearings, the Commission heard from some 60 "interested persons" and 150 expert witnesses.

The Maori consultation programme will resume on 18 January 2001 with a workshop in Picton (Waikawa Marae) followed by a workshop in Nelson (Whakatu Marae) on 19 January 2001. The regional hui will he held at Blenheim's Omaka Marae on 27 January 2001.

Written submissions from the general public closed on 1 December 2000 and are still being processed. An initial sample of these submissions is already available on the Commission's website: www.gmcommission.govt.nz.

"This first half of our consultation process has been most productive and we would like to thank those who have assisted us with our deliberations to date. We look forward to continuing our consultation in the new year and then producing our report for 1 June 2001," says Commission chairman Sir Thomas Eichelbaum.

ENDS

Please note: For further information or to arrange an interview with the Commissioners, please contact: Sarah Adamson, Media Relations Officer, phone: 04 495 9151 or 021 499 510.

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