Criminal Justice Advisory Group to visit Christchurch, Timaru

25 October 2018

The Government’s Safe and Effective Justice Programme Advisory Group – Te Uepū Hāpai i te Ora – will visit Canterbury next Monday and Tuesday as part of its nationwide consultation to gather information on the criminal justice system.

This is the second 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.

In Timaru on Monday 29 October, the Advisory Group will hold a public session in the Council Chambers, 2 King George Place, from 1pm-3pm. They will also hold a roundtable discussion with groups and others who work in and with the criminal justice system, in the Council Chambers from 3.30-5pm.

In Christchurch on Tuesday 30 October, the Advisory Group will hold a public session at Aranui Library, 109 Aldershot St, from 9.30am-11.30am. They will hold a roundtable discussion with groups and others in the afternoon.

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 who will attend the meetings are Mr Borrows, Dr Jarrod Gilbert, Timaru lawyer Quentin Hix, Ruth Money, Dr Warren Young and Julia Whaipooti. Other members are Dr Carwyn Jones, Shila Nair, Professor Tracey McIntosh, and Professor Tony Ward.

Mr Borrows says the Group’s work is about informing the Government’s drive to keep all New Zealand communities safer by enhancing the 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 had a great response from our first meetings in South Auckland, and we’re excited about engaging independently with key stakeholders and those with lived-experience in Canterbury 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 Submissions

Members of the public are also 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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