Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses (Australasia) Ltd v Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the care of Faith-based Institutions - [2026] NZHC 1295

Successful judicial review. Jehovah’s Witnesses (JWs) challenged Royal Commission into Abuse in Care’s standalone case study into JW faith which formed part of 2024 final report. JWs argued case study breached freedom of religion under NZ Bill of Rights Act (BORA), breached right to natural justice and outside scope of terms of reference. Held, case study did not breach BORA. Commission entitled to investigate practices likely to harm vulnerable members. No breach of natural justice. But case study unlawful as it went beyond examination of abuse “in care” and focused primarily on harmful practices outside care context. HC declared case study unlawful as it exceeded terms of reference.