More staffing could have seen historic abuse claims resolved earlier

Crown responses continue today at the Abuse In Care Royal Commission Inquiry redress hearings.

Social Development Ministry Historic Abuse Unit boss, Linda Hrstich-Meyer , says in hindsight, more legal staffing would have helped.

She says it was a legal process - but to begin with, most staff were social workers.

Hrstich-Meyer says now they have specialist lawyers, but never enough.

She says the processes are complex and legal aspects are always mixed in.