Summit and new advisory group to focus on criminal justice reform

Justice Minister Andrew Little announced a Criminal Justice Summit and an Advisory Group to lead conversations on reforming the criminal justice system.

These are part of a cross-agency programme of work, Hāpaitia te Oranga Tangata – Safe and Effective Justice.

The Criminal Justice Summit will take place from 20 - 22 August 2018 in Wellington and Porirua. The purpose of the Summit is to bring a range of people together to help design long term solutions. It also seeks to provide a platform for engagement between policy developers and the wider public. The Summit will be launched by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

It is open to people who have lived experience of the criminal justice system and providers including: children and young people, victims of crime, academics, iwi/Māori, NGOs and international experts. Find more information and register your interest in attending.

Andrew Little said:

"Real change means we have to do things differently. The Summit provides a start to honest conversations as a country, supported by real evidence. The Summit will bring together victims, victims’ advocates, front-line workers with different backgrounds and experience in the criminal justice system, and experts in criminal justice."

There will be other opportunities to give feedback, including regional hui. Details for the hui will be announced on the website: www.safeandeffectivejustice.govt.nz.

Minister Little also announced the Safe and Effective Justice Programme Advisory Group – Te Uepū Hāpai i te Ora. Its members are:

• Hon Chester Borrows QSO
• Dr Jarrod Gilbert
• Dr Carwyn Jones
• Professor Tracey McIntosh
• Ruth Money
• Julia Amua Whaipooti
• Professor Tony Ward
• Dr Warren Young QSO

Update: Shila Nair and Quentin Hix have also been added Uepū Hāpai i te Ora - The Safe and Effective Justice Advisory Group.

The purpose of the Advisory Group is:

• To have public conversation about what people want from the criminal justice system
• To hear a range of ideas about improving the criminal justice system.

Read more about the Advisory Group members.

For more information about the reform work, listen to an interview with Minister Little on Morning Report, Radio NZ.

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Related news

ActionStation and fourth year medical students from the University of Otago in Wellington are running a survey of Māori attitudes towards the justice system.

JustSpeak and Mahi Tahi Akoranga Trust recently hosted Whiti Te Rā - a kaupapa Māori hui on transformative change in criminal justice.

For other news on prisons and criminal justice reform, see our previous stories:

• ‍New foundation awards grants for legal research, further grants available, February 2018‍
• Professor Tracey McIntosh awarded Te Rangi Hīroa Medal, October 2017‍
• Corrections launches new strategy for women offenders, August 2017‍
• Waitangi Tribunal: Crown has breached Treaty obligations on Māori reoffending, May 2017‍
• Corrections to improve support for female prisoners at risk of family violence, August 2016