12 October 2018

The Government’s Safe and Effective Justice Programme Advisory Group – Te Uepū Hāpai i te Ora – will visit South Auckland on October 15 and 16 as part of its nationwide consultation to gather information on the criminal justice system.

This is the first of 14 visits being held across New Zealand before Christmas to hear from people who have experienced the criminal justice system, as victims of crime or those who have committed crimes, and the groups who work in or with it every day.

During the visit to South Auckland, the Advisory Group will meet those groups and community leaders, as well as individuals at public drop-in sessions, at Papatoetoe Library, on Monday 15 October, and Otahuhu Library and Manurewa Library-Community Room on Tuesday 16 October.

The Group has been appointed to support the Hāpitia te Oranga Tangata Safe and Effective Justice Programme, which the Government has established to create a more effective criminal justice system, and a safer New Zealand.

The Group, which is independent of the Government, has been tasked with finding out what people want from the criminal justice system, and to canvass a range of ideas about how it can be improved.

It is made up of former Minister for Courts Chester Borrows, who is the Chair, and nine others who have experience working in or alongside the justice system.

Members for the South Auckland meetings are Mr Borrows, Dr Jarrod Gilbert, Quentin Hix, Professor Tracey McIntosh, Ruth Money, Shila Nair, and Julia Whaipooti. Other members are Dr Warren Young, Professor Tony Ward, and Dr Carwyn Jones.

Mr Borrows says the Group’s work is about informing the Government’s drive to keep all New Zealand communities safer by building a better criminal justice system.

“This is a chance to make a big difference to our criminal justice system, and we’re all looking forward to hearing what New Zealanders want and expect from it.

“We’re excited about engaging independently with key stakeholders and those with lived-experience to form strategic recommendations for the Government.

“We want to hear from as many people as possible and, though we won’t be able to meet with them all, we encourage anyone who wants to have their say to submit their ideas to us on the Safe and Effective Justice website.

“We will consider all feedback, in whatever form, to help inform our findings to the Minister.”

The Group is planning to make further visits across the country early next year.

Public drop-in sessions:

Papatoetoe Library: Monday 15 October, 9.30am-11.30am

Otahuhu Library: Tuesday 16 October, 9.30am-11.30am

Manurewa Library: Tuesday 16 October, 2.30pm-4.30pm

Public Submissions

Members of the public are encouraged to submit their experiences and ideas to the Group at: https://www.safeandeffectivejustice.govt.nz/

Or contact them directly at te_uepu@justice.govt.nz

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