Justice Minister Andrew Little and New Zealand First MP Darroch Ball, have today announced the appointment of the Chief
Commissioner of the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), the location, and the membership of the Establishment
Advisory Group.
Colin Carruthers QC has been appointed Chief Commissioner of the CCRC for an 18-month term, effective from 1 February
2020, and will play a critical role in the establishment of the CCRC.
“Mr Carruthers brings a significant amount of mana and credibility to the role, having practised as a senior barrister
in both defence and prosecution roles,” Andrew Little says.
“I am also pleased to announce that the CCRC will be based in Hamilton. As with CCRCs in England and Scotland, it is
important the NZCCRC is independent from the big bureaucratic and judicial centres, Auckland and Wellington
“Establishing the CCRC was a commitment in the Labour New Zealand First Coalition agreement,” Andrew Little says.
"New Zealand First is proud to see the foundations being laid for the CCRC. This is a good sign for our justice system
and look forward to further progress," says Darroch Ball New Zealand First spokesperson for Justice
Mr Carruthers will be supported by an Establishment Advisory Group, which will provide advice on the CCRC’s design to
ensure consistency with the legislation. The Establishment Advisory Group members are:
· Professor Tracey McIntosh – Professor of Indigenous Studies and Co-Head of Te Wānanga o Waipapa (School of Māori
Studies and Pacific Studies) at the University of Auckland
· Nigel Hampton CNZM, OBE, QC – internationally-applauded criminal defence lawyer
· Professor Elisabeth McDonald – Professor of Criminal Law, Evidence and Procedure at the University of Canterbury
· Dr Anna Sandiford - Senior Forensic Science Consultant and Director of The Forensic Group Ltd
· Dr Tamasailau Suaalii-Sauni – Associate professor of Criminology at the University of Auckland
· Tim McKinnel – investigator and previously a detective with New Zealand Police
The CCRC will begin receiving applications for review of convictions and sentences when it becomes operational on 1 July
2020.Background:
The CCRC is an independent body that will review criminal convictions and sentences where there is a claimed miscarriage
of justice. It can refer cases back to the Court of Appeal, but it does not determine guilt or innocence. The CCRC will
replace the referral power currently exercised by the Governor-General under section 406 of the Crimes Act 1961, part of
the Royal Prerogative of Mercy. More information on the CCRC can be found by clicking here.
The CCRC will be overseen by a Board comprising a Chief Commissioner, a Deputy Commissioner, and between one and five
Commissioners. Applications are currently open for the Commissioner roles, more information can be found on the Ministry
of Justice statutory vacancies website.
Short biographies of the Establishment Advisory Group members and the terms of reference for the Establishment Advisory
Group can be found by clicking here.
A short biography on Mr Carruthers can be found by clicking here.