CAT/OP/NZL/1/Add.1 not necessary to have medical and mental health expertise on staff but it must be able to draw on external advice when required. 7. Chief Executives and Boards are responsible for the discharge of their statutory responsibilities and must have regard to efficient and effective management. C. Mandate of the National Preventive Mechanisms 8. The Subcommittee recommended that the New Zealand Government organise a meeting with the National Preventive Mechanisms to discuss their challenges, including gaps in their respective mandates. Officials from the Ministry of Justice have met with the National Preventive Mechanisms and will continue to do so as part of their ongoing relationship with government. The National Preventive Mechanisms have identified areas in their respective mandates that could be clarified. For example: • Which National Preventive Mechanism is responsible for dementia units in private establishments, and other private and state-run residential care facilities where persons with disabilities have been placed • Whether joint responsibility of the Ombudsman and the Children’s Commissioner for youth justice residence is still required or can be placed solely with the Children’s Commissioner, and • Clarification of the mandate for monitoring of court cells (where detainees can be under the control of the Police or the Department of Corrections). D. National Preventive Mechanisms working together 9. The Subcommittee recommended the New Zealand Government take steps to enhance the status and recognition of the National Preventive Mechanisms, support them to develop a collective identity, and encourage dialogue and better connectivity between the National Preventive Mechanisms and civil society. 10. The National Preventive Mechanisms remain committed to working better collectively and are exploring ways to do so. For example, the Ombudsman and the Office of the Children’s Commissioner are currently working together in relation to Mothers and Babies units in prisons. 11. The National Preventive Mechanisms continue to develop consistent practices and ways of working more collaboratively. This has been informed by a review of the first five years of their operation, OPCAT in New Zealand: 2007-2012, which is available on the website of the Human Rights Commission: http://www.hrc.co.nz/human-rightsenvironment/monitoring-places-of-detention. 12. The review helped to inform a two-day strategic planning workshop, facilitated by members of the Association for the Prevention of Torture. The workshop built on the fiveyear review findings to identify weaknesses and challenges, define collective priorities and began developing an Action Plan for the coming year. The Action Plan covers outreach activities, securing resources, building the collective evidence base, leadership and coordination, and general operations (for example access to expertise, multidisciplinary teams, and cultural diversity). 13. The National Preventive Mechanisms meet several times a year to share information and discuss key issues. A representative of the Ministry of Justice attends meetings as an observer to ensure the National Preventive Mechanisms and the Government remain in constant contact. 4