The reporting date for the ministerial inquiry into the Peter Ellis case has been extended to February 28.
The original deadline was yesterday but retired Chief Justice Sir Thomas Eichelbaum, who is conducting the inquiry, had asked for the extension, said Justice Minister Phil Goff.
"The delay is regrettable as I'm sure all parties involved are anxious to see the matter resolved one way or the other," Mr Goff said.
"The primary reason for the extension has been to allow for the engagement of high-calibre international experts to assist the inquiry."
Mr Goff said the best people were in high demand and it had also taken longer than anticipated to arrange legal representation for the creche families involved.
Ellis' counsel, Judith Ablett Kerr, QC, said the delay was unacceptable and had come as a shock to her client.
Debate has raged over the case since Ellis was convicted in 1993 on 13 charges of sexually abusing children in his care at the Christchurch Civic Creche.
Ellis, aged 41, spent 6 1/2 years in prison but maintained his innocence throughout and refused early parole because it would have required that he admit guilt. He was released last February.
- NZPA
Ellis inquiry chief wins extension of deadline
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