Karen Clark QC has been engaged by the New Zealand Defence Force to conduct an inquiry into how the Royal New Zealand Air Force handled complaints of sex abuse, harassment and bullying involving former Air Force Sergeant Robert Roper, who left the RNZAF in 1989.

A statement from the Defence Force says the inquiry, for which the RNZAF has consulted with Roper's victims, will also consider the processes and systems the Air Force currently has in place for effectively responding to complaints related to sexual abuse, bullying, and harassment.

The inquiry is expected to take up to six months to complete.