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Consultation on use of technology in courts
Update: Ngā Kōti o Aotearoa | Courts of New Zealand released the final Digital Strategy for Courts and Tribunals of Aotearoa New Zealand on 29 March 2023. For more information see the Chief Justice of New Zealand's media release.
The judiciary is seeking feedback on a draft Digital Strategy for the Courts and Tribunals of Aotearoa New Zealand. Feedback is invited from individuals or groups.
The closing date to give feedback on the Strategy is 30 September 2022.
The Digital Strategy will inform decisions about how technology will be used in the court system over the next decade. The draft Digital Strategy set out to answer 3 key questions:
- How can digital technology be used to support the administration of justice by the judiciary?
- How will technology enable the courts to do better what they do now?
- How will technology enable the courts to find new ways to meet unmet justice needs, to support just, timely and efficient dispute resolution processes and outcomes, and to support open justice?
The draft Digital Strategy provides an overview of the current situation and the need for modernisation and change noting:
"Our current paper-based systems and inadequate technology result in a great deal of time being spent trying to ensure that documents and other materials end up in the right place, and in a great deal of churn and wasted time – for example, where hearings cannot proceed because relevant reports have not been received or have not made it onto the file. There is also a real risk of adverse outcomes for court participants and for the community, where decisions are made without access to all relevant information." (page 6)
This strategy would apply to all courts of Aotearoa New Zealand including the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court, District Court, Family Court, Youth Court and others. It would also apply to tribunals including the Disputes Tribunal, Employment Relations Authority, Human Rights Review Tribunal, Immigration and Protection Tribunal, Legal Aid Tribunal and others.
The draft strategy sets out objectives and guiding principles for the use of digital technology. It then identifies the 3 highest priorities for the next 5 years:
- Digitising the court record, court files, and case management system. This project, known as Te Au Reka (formerly Caseflow), has started and was approved in Budget 2022.
- Implementing a single system for remote hearings using audio-visual technology.
- Ensuring infrastructure across all courts and tribunals to support implementation of technology initiatives.
It also identifies other initiatives that should be considered as priorities in the next 5 years, such as ways to communicate with whānau, ways to share information with victims, remote access to interpretation and communication assistance, increased access to information about processes and timelines, and enforcement of outcomes of proceedings including sharing information with relevant agencies. The draft strategy also identifies further initiatives to consider in the long term.
Feedback can be provided by:
Related news
The following government consultations also have closing dates in September and October. Our related news stories below include links to research and information about the links between violence against women and the consultation areas below.
Corrections consulting on ways to improve outcomes
Ara Poutama Aotearoa | Department of Corrections is consulting on proposed options to improve rehabilitation, reintegration, and safety outcomes for people in the corrections system. The proposed changes are detailed in the Options to achieve improved outcomes in the corrections system: Discussion Document 2022. The areas of change identified by Corrections include:
"1. Monitoring and gathering information on prison activity and communications for intelligence purposes to improve prison safety
2. Ensuring people are assigned to male and female prisons by considering a range of factors
3. Increasing access to privacy and control over lighting in prison cells
4. Refining disciplinary processes in prisons
5. Supporting improved rehabilitation and reintegration outcomes for Māori
6. Providing remand accused people with greater access to non-offence focused programmes and services
7. Making a series of miscellaneous amendments to solve a range of technical issues that will assist day-to-day operations, including:
a. Body temperature scanners
b. Enabling the use of imaging technology to replace strip searches
c. Case management plans
d. Information sharing with Inland Revenue
e. Mixing of young people and adults
f. Minor/technical changes"
For each area, there are operational options and possible amendments to the Corrections Act 2004 and the Corrections Regulations 2005. Public feedback is invited by email to LegislationAmendments@corrections.govt.nz or through an online form. The closing date to give feedback is 23 September 2022.
Consultation on Aotearoa's first National Security Strategy
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) is developing Aotearoa's first National Security Strategy. DPMC is seeking feedback on the long-term approach to national security. DPMC notes that:
New Zealand’s concept of national security is focused on protecting New Zealand from malicious threats from those who would do us harm. National security contributes to people's wellbeing, and involves working to identify, mitigate, and respond to threats that impact New Zealand and its people, including:
*Terrorism and violent extremism of all kinds
*Interference by another country in our democracy (for example by covertly influencing our election process and voting decisions)
*Cyber incidents that affect important computer networks (for example the loss of access to bank accounts, extraction of data and personal records, or disruptions to power supply)."
Public feedback is invited through an online form. The closing date to give feedback is 30 September 2022.
Police seeking feedback on proposed regulations related to firearms registry
New Zealand Police is seeking public submissions on proposed regulations to support the new legislation for the Firearms Registry. The registry will link firearms to licence holders and track sales of all firearms, parts and ammunition. The consultation considers
- the arms items and the details of those items to be recorded in the Firearms Registry.
- the obligations of licence holders and people in possession of specified arms items to provide information to Police for inclusion in the Firearms Registry.
- associated provisions that support these changes.
Feedback can be submitted through an online form, email to consultation@police.govt.nz, or post to the Policy Group, Police National Headquarters, PO Box 3017 Wellington. For more information see the NZ Police media release or the Firearms and Safety section on the Police website. The consultation closes on 12 October 2022.
Consultation on Justice Sector Long-term Insights Briefing
The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) has published findings from this first part of the consultation to develop the Justice Sector Long-term Insights Briefing focused on imprisonment in a consultation document. The main themes are: How has the prison population changed and why? What helps keep people away from prison? What are the future risks and opportunities? MOJ is inviting feedback on this consultation document for the second part of the consultation to develop the Long-term Insights Briefing. The closing date to give feedback is 7 October 2022.
Related media
New strategy to guide use of technology in courts launched, RNZ, 29.03.2023
Prisoner numbers are down: let’s not go back to a ‘lock ’em up’ mindset, The Spinoff, 29.09.2022
Five Country Ministerial Communiqué, Beehive media release, 14.09.2022
The ROI 26223851 from ACC is inviting registration of interest from Kaupapa Māori providers including people who have expertise in sexual violence. This includes providers, researchers, subject matter experts or programme designers.
The closing date to register interest is 23 September 2022. Questions about the ROI are due by 14 September 2022 through GETS.
According to the ROI, ACC is:
"...looking for partners in Te Tai Tokerau and Tāmaki Makaurau rohe to design kaupapa Māori solutions to be delivered by Māori, with a focus on:
- services to support kiritaki and whānau with complex injuries and a high level of need (including, but not limited to, sexual violence and serious injuries); and
- injury prevention initiatives for whānau to know about mana-enhancing and tapu-enriched relationships with themselves, others and te taiao to eliminate sexual violence. These will be informed by mātauranga Māori to build the protective factors that keep whānau well.
We are looking for the following expertise to be part of the design panel:
- Whānau-led design specialists who have experience working with whānau Māori and/or facilitating whānau-led design.
- Kaupapa Māori health providers who are Māori-owned and operated.
- Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) who understand strengths-based, whānau-led approaches and the complexities of serious injuries and sexual violence.
- Kaupapa Māori researchers experienced in whānau research and developmental evaluation to inform discovery and detailed design.
We will appoint two separate panels – one to design localised solutions for Te Tai Tokerau and one to design localised solutions for Tāmaki Makaurau."
For more information about the opportunity, ACC has produced a video.
For more information see the ROI 26223851, Design panels for kaupapa Māori solutions in Te Tai Tokerau and Tāmaki Makaurau rohe (Tranche 2). More detailed information is available once signed in to the GETS website as a supplier. This ROI is focused on opportunities to develop services in Te Tai Tokerau and Tāmaki Makaurau. The ACC video notes that opportunities for other rohe will follow.
For background information see the ACC website for Kaupapa Māori health services and Kaupapa Māori solutions.
Related media
ACC looking for kaupapa Māori solutions to caring for Māori, Te Ao Māori News, 03.09.2022
ACC heads north to design kaupapa Māori solutions, ACC media release, 26.07.2022
ACC's $74m restructure lacks clear benefits, review finds, RNZ, 24.05.2022
ACC acknowledges commitment to Māori health outcomes with proposed new strategy, RNZ, 11.05.2021
ACC ready to listen on design of new kaupapa Māori health services, ACC media release, 07.05.2021
We are excited to announce that the team at NZFVC is about to grow. We are looking for a Kaupapa Māori Research Lead and a Project Support Coordinator to support our work.
Kaupapa Māori Research Lead
This is a permanent part time (24 hours per week) role. We are looking for someone who can:
- Develop and lead the implementation of a Māori information strategy for the NZFVC.
- Develop and maintain relationships with Māori researchers and networks.
- Support effective knowledge translation and mobilisation activities that enhance understandings of family, whānau and mahi tūkino/sexual violence in Aotearoa.
- Identify and communicate critical knowledge gaps to inform future research.
- Contribute to the development of resources and research translation outputs including research reports, issues papers, evidence briefs, webinars and infographics.
- Produce regular summaries of administrative data on family violence and sexual violence and provide analysis of the data suitable for a broad audience.
- Provide subject matter expertise to support submissions and consultations on government policy and legislative change.
- Support the integration of community research and practice based evidence into the work of the NZFVC.
For more information on the Kaupapa Māori Research Lead role including how to apply please see the advertisement on the Seek website. Applications are open until 5pm, 12 September 2022.
Project Support Coordinator
This is a permanent part time (20 hours per week) role. We are looking for someone who can:
- Coordinate NZFVC events both online and face to face, including webinars, seminars and consultation hui.
- Facilitate successful collection and reporting of engagement, outcome and successful delivery of events.
- Oversee and update NZFVC social media channels, NZFVC News, Events and other relevant research and information.
- Produce high quality documents for funder/evaluation/informational/outcome reports, presentations, newsletters, email memos, minutes of board and other meetings.
- Effective information and data capture, storage and sharing systems for the NZFVC Team are in place and maintained.
For more information on the Project Support Coordinator role including how to apply please see the advertisement on the Seek website. Applications are open until 5pm, 12 September 2022.
Please also share these opportunities with your networks.
MSD has launched a new online Check it out relationship tool. People can use the online tool to check if they are experiencing abuse in their relationship. It asks questions about a partner's or ex partner's behaviours in the relationship. For each question there are examples of what the behaviour might look like. Questions address different types of abuse including physical, financial, psychological, controlling behaviours and more.
The tool includes questions and examples of behaviours that are unique to those with a broad range of identities. MSD worked with a range of family violence specialists to develop the tool including Māori, Pasefika, Rainbow, disabled peoples and ethnic communities. The tool adds specific questions for people who have children, have separated from their partner, are from an ethnic community, are Pacific, are a disabled person, and/or are Takatāpui, LGBTQIA+ or Rainbow.
Depending on the person's identity there are between 15 to 42 questions. After completing the questions, the tool provides information that identifies different types of abuse the person might be experiencing and offers support services.
The new tool has replaced the Relationship Quiz which was on the Are You Ok website. Some content in the tool came from the 1 in 3 Be Free App. In 2016 the Inner City Women’s Group (ICWG) in partnership with Omnispex developed an app for New Zealand heterosexual women to screen their relationships for violence and abuse. The ICWG donated their intellectual property to help develop the Check it out tool.
MSD has been updating the Are You OK website.
In the July 2022 MSD Family Violence and Sexual Violence Service Provider Update, MSD also noted they are working on a new website for people who use violence, to encourage and support them to access support to make change. See past updates and subscribe to future updates.
Related app for people experiencing abuse and violence
The June 2022 MSD Family Violence and Sexual Violence provider update announced the launch of the Bright Sky App in Aotearoa New Zealand. MSD partnered with Te Rourou - Vodafone Foundation Group to launch the app. The Bright Sky app provides support and information for people concerned about family violence, or worried about the safety of themselves, or someone they care about. The app was first launched in the UK by the Vodafone Foundation Group in collaboration with a range of family and sexual violence service providers. It is now available in 11 countries including New Zealand.
Related media
The report, Shining Light on the Shadow: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on abuser behaviour (2022), shares the findings from an online survey of 35 women victim-survivors about their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The women described how former partners used the pandemic as a new tool/weapon of abuse, highlighting that:
"These abusers used the isolation, fear, risk of illness and lack of clarity and inconsistency of information, to control, isolate and abuse their ex/partners and children. The types of abuse described by participants included psychological, physical, litigation and financial. Abusers frequently forced contact with the adult victim-survivor and children using in most cases online platforms and/or court ordered contact with children to do so."
While all but one respondent was separated from the abuser at the time of the survey, and more than half had been separated for over five years, the women reported experiencing ongoing abuse and also reported their children's experience of violence and abuse while the children were in court ordered unsupervised care with the abuser during lockdowns.
Of the 65% of respondents (22 women) who said their abusive partner's behaviour changed (50%) or might have changed (15%) during the pandemic, the majority said the abuser's behaviour was worse during the pandemic (82%).
Respondents reported the abuser used the pandemic to further abuse. This included using public health measures to control, threaten and stalk them or their children, financial and economic abuse and forcing contact, often through court ordered contact with children.
The Backbone Collective also found that the ongoing abuse the women experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic "...was deeply interconnected with their mothering and their own children’s experiences of abuse." Women reported that the abuser prevented them from having contact with their children, put the children at risk of getting COVID or prevented the children from getting care when they were ill with COVID, and told the children "...frightening things about COVID-19 including that they would not see their mother again or that she would die of COVID-19."
Women sought help from the Family Court, Police, support services, counsellors and specialist family violence providers. While helpful responses were most likely to be provided by specialist family violence services and counsellors, the Backbone Collective reported that:
"Overall these victim-survivors describe a system response that overlooked their safety and welfare needs, failed to identify the risk that separated women and children faced during the pandemic, forced their children into lockdown care with abusers and failed to respond when they raised the alarm."
Throughout the survey, respondents shared feedback for family court, police and support services including:
- "Just because a relationship ends, that does not mean the violence and abuse ends too.
- It is not safe to recommend that an abusive ex partner drop children to the victim-survivor’s house in lockdown.
- Children who spent time without their protective parent in the abuser’s care in lockdown were stressed and traumatised by that experience. The impact of that experience is ongoing for these children.
- Mothers of children who were separated from their children during the lockdowns were traumatised by that experience. The impact on these mothers continues.
- Abusers increased their control of victim-survivors and children during the pandemic. That control impacted on victim-survivors’ relationships with other family members, working life, financial situation and mental health and is ongoing.
- Court proceedings brought about by abuser behaviour in response to the pandemic have been drawn out and continue for victim-survivors in this study."
The report includes services that survey participants identified are needed to support victim-survivors and children during the pandemic and similar situations. The report concludes with a number of recommendations for government and non-government agencies to respond safely to the needs of victim-survivors both for the COVID-19 pandemic and future situations.
There is a growing amount of research focused on violence against women and children in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. We continue to add new research to our library - search our library under the quick topic search COVID-19. Also see the June 2022 special issue of the Journal of Gender-Based Violence focused on The COVID-19 pandemic and gender-based violence.
Related news
The Justice Committee is calling for submissions on the Family Court (Family Court Associates) Legislation Bill. The bill proposes to create a new Family Court Associate role. The Family Court Associate would be a judicial officer, enabling them to take on some work currently undertaken by judges, such as making decisions in the early stages of proceedings. The purpose of this new role is to improve outcomes and reduce court delays for people who participate in Family Court proceedings, particularly children. The closing date for submissions is 14 September 2022.
The Justice Committee is also calling for submissions on the Child Protection (Child Sex Offender Government Agency Registration) (Overseas Travel Reporting) Amendment Bill and Supplementary Order Paper (SOP) No 175. The bill would require registered child sex offenders to provide additional information to Police before travelling overseas. The SOP would allow for the exchange of information between Customs and Police. The closing date to make a submission is 14 September 2022.
In July 2022 Justice Minister Kiri Allan announced further details about the changes to the legal aid scheme.
Related media
Justice delayed is justice denied, RNZ, 03.08.2022
Justice system backlog at “acute pinch point”, The Spinoff, 29.07.2022
Victims at risk as justice stalled due to 'exorbitant' court delays, Stuff, 28.07.2022
Divorce 'warfare': The legal tactics when marriage break-ups turn ugly, NZ Herald, 25.07.2022
New family court roles to ease judge workloads and speed up cases, Stuff, 05.07.2022
Government action to tackle delays in Family Court, Beehive media release, 05.07.2022
The Justice Committee is calling for submissions on the Family Court (Family Court Associates) Legislation Bill.
The closing date for submissions is 14 September 2022.
The Family Court (Family Court Associates) Legislation Bill proposes to create a new Family Court Associate role. The Family Court Associate would be a judicial officer, enabling them to take on some work currently undertaken by judges, such as making decisions in the early stages of proceedings. The purpose of this new role is to improve outcomes and reduce court delays for people who participate in Family Court proceedings, particularly children.
The bill would amend the Family Court Act 1980 to provide for the appointment, jurisdiction and powers, remuneration, restrictions, and immunity of Family Court Associates. The amendments to the Act would also enable Family Court Associates to transfer certain proceedings to a Family Court Judge.
The submission information from the Justice Committee also notes:
"The bill would also amend the following Acts to give Family Court Associates some of the functions and powers of Family Court Judges in certain circumstances:
Adoption Act 1955
Care of Children Act 2004
Child Support Act 1991
Family Proceedings Act 1980
Family Violence Act 2018
Marriage Act 1955
Oranga Tamariki Act 1989
Property (Relationships) Act 1976
Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988
Status of Children Act 1969."
The submission information also notes "The Family Court Associate role is based on a recommendation made by the Independent Panel in its report about the 2014 family justice reforms, Te Korowai Ture ā-Whānau." Te Korowai Ture ā-Whānau is the final report of the Independent Panel examining the 2014 family justice reforms.
In announcing the bill, Justice Minister Kiri Allan said:
“We want Family Court judges to be able to concentrate on progressing cases, which can be hugely traumatic for children, through the court instead of time-consuming administrative matters, and these roles will help them do just that.”
Update: The select committee report has been published for the Family Court (Family Court Associates) Legislation Bill. The Committee has recommended passing the bill with amendments. In addition, a number of additional reports from the Ministry of Justice providing advice on the proposed legislation have been published under the submissions.
Update: The Family Court (Family Court Associates) Legislation Bill passed its 3rd reading on 30 May 2023.
Update: The first 6 Family Court Associates were appointed by Attorney-General Judith Collins in March 2024.
Other Family Court reforms
This bill is part of the Government's family law reform work based on the Independent Panel’s recommendations. This work has also included the establishment of Kaiārahi – Family Court Navigators and the Family Court (Supporting Children in Court) Legislation Bill.
When the Family Court (Supporting Children in Court) Legislation Bill passed its third reading, former Justice Minister Kris Faafoi said “The Bill will enhance children’s participation in proceedings that affect them. It will help children feel supported and informed as they move through the family justice process.” The legislation also reinforces expectations that family violence should be taken into account in guardianship orders or parenting orders, and expands lawyer for children duties and expectations to be suitably qualified in care of children proceedings.
For more information see the parliamentary bill digest. The Family Court (Supporting Children in Court) Legislation Act 2021 comes into force on a date that is 2 years after the date on which the Act received Royal assent. In their summary of the bill, VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai noted next steps involve developing best practice guidance for child participation.
Related news
The Justice Committee is also calling for submissions on the Child Protection (Child Sex Offender Government Agency Registration) (Overseas Travel Reporting) Amendment Bill and Supplementary Order Paper (SOP) No 175. The bill would require registered child sex offenders to provide additional information to Police before travelling overseas. The SOP would allow for the exchange of information between Customs and Police. The closing date to make a submission is 14 September 2022.
Justice Minister Kiri Allan has announced further details about the changes to the legal aid scheme. She noted changes will be implemented to the Legal Services Regulations 2011 and the Legal Services Act 2011. Her announcement included an overview of the changes:
- "increasing the income eligibility thresholds by 15% from 1 January 2023, making 93,000 more people eligible for civil and family legal aid in the first year,
- removing the legal aid user charge, payable by most civil and family legal aid recipients,
- removing interest on repayment of unpaid legal debt,
- increasing the debt repayment thresholds by 16.5% for debt established from 1 January 2023, relieving financial pressures for around 16,000 low-income and vulnerable New Zealanders, and
- increasing the civil and family legal aid eligibility thresholds and debt repayment thresholds by an additional 1.9% per year with the last increase on 1 July 2025."
In response to the changes, Legal academic and researcher Bridgette Toy-Cronin writes:
"While these immediate improvements in the legal aid system are to be welcomed, the problems in the civil justice system run much deeper. Legal aid remains a system that helps only the poorest, leaving the better part of New Zealand in the ‘justice gap’, unable to pay for a lawyer but unable to access legal aid."
She goes on to say:
"Properly funding legal aid is vital to maintaining the rule of law – without access to the courts, laws are just on the books but don’t operate in real life.
But in a society where legal problems are a common occurrence, legal aid cannot provide the whole answer. We need to get creative about providing effective help without breaking the bank."
Toy-Cronin is part of a working group developing a strategic framework to improve access to civil justice in Aotearoa New Zealand. Learn more about the issues with the legal aid system from the Auckland District Law Society.
Research Fellow and Associate Professor Camilla Nelson published the research brief They Thought it was Safe: Securing Children's Safety and Rights in Australia's Family Law System (May 2022) and related podcast. Nelson presents findings from case studies of the impact of the Australian Federal Circuit and Family Court proceedings on children. She outlines 12 recommendations to minimise harm and improve children's rights during family law disputes. For more information see her book co-authored with Catharine Lumby, Broken: Children, Parents and Family Courts (2021).
The Waitangi Tribunal has started the Justice Inquiry (WAI 3060). The Justice Inquiry is a Kaupapa (thematic) inquiry and will look at the New Zealand justice system in its entirety.
Related media
Abuse victim Mrs P a step closer to appealing 'excoriating' court decision, Stuff, 31.10.2022
Family court fix too slow, Waatea News, 18.10.2022
Justice delayed is justice denied, RNZ, 03.08.2022
Justice system backlog at “acute pinch point”, The Spinoff, 29.07.2022
Victims at risk as justice stalled due to 'exorbitant' court delays, Stuff, 28.07.2022
Divorce 'warfare': The legal tactics when marriage break-ups turn ugly, NZ Herald, 25.07.2022
Kiritapu Allan | Minister of Conservation [interview], Waatea News, 06.07.2022
New family court roles to ease judge workloads and speed up cases, Stuff, 05.07.2022
Government action to tackle delays in Family Court, Beehive media release, 05.07.2022
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the official launch in June 2022 of the Centre of Research Excellence for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism, He Whenua Taurikura. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) notes that He Whenua Taurikura translates to ‘a country at peace’.
The Centre is the government's response to recommendation 14 of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attack on Christchurch masjidain. Recommendation 14 is to "Establish a programme to fund independent New Zealand-specific research on the causes of, and measures to prevent, violent extremism and terrorism..."
Professor Dr Joanna Kidman (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Raukawa) and Distinguished Professor Emeritus Paul Spoonley have been appointed Directors of the Centre.
Lead Coordination Minister for the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Terrorist Attack on the Christchurch Mosques Andrew Little said “He Whenua Taurikura goes beyond the report’s recommendation by establishing a dedicated Centre in addition to directly supporting research.”
Minister Little also said “This Centre will play a key role in bringing together research organisations, civil society, and government to research how to prevent and counter terrorism and violent extremism, with a focus on understanding diversity and promoting social cohesion.”
The Centre will be hosted by Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington, supporting research at many organisations around the country.
DPMC notes that the work of the Centre will be overseen by a Governance Board and the Board will be comprised of tangata whenua, researchers, civil society representatives and government representatives.
International research updates
Speaking at the UN Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of UN Women, Sima Bahous called on states to ensure women are involved in recovery and prevention in addressing conflict and violent extremism. She said:
"Yet, with all this institutional progress, almost every time there are political negotiations, peace talks – we still have to ask, ‘where are the women?’
The reason is simply that we have not fully honoured our commitments."
She went on to say:
"We must ensure that women's networks and women's tracks are part and parcel of the political tracks. That women are equally included, and their voices and solutions are heard and included.
I ask that the multilateral system, all of us, defend our values with the same determination as the women’s movement does. I ask that we all be undeterred by the current challenges and negative developments.
To do this, we must honour our commitments. Ensure that all response efforts fully include the voices of women leaders. We must ensure that women are part and parcel of finding peaceful solutions, of recovery and of prevention mechanisms.
As regional organizations, when you convene negotiations, ensure that you do not have to ask yourselves, where are the women? Make sure that women are there. In their own right. With their own lived experiences. Their own knowledge, and with their vision for their future."
For more information see the following recent United Nations (UN) resources:
UN Women’s engagement in support of counter terrorism and prevention of violent extremism (May 2022, UN Women)
Programmatic note: UN Women countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism support within the framework of women, peace, and security (2022, UN Women)
Gender Brief for UNODC Staff Mainstreaming gender in Terrorism Prevention projects (2022, UN Office on Drugs and Crime)
Below are further resources that have been published since we previously highlighted reports and research on the links between violent extremism and violence against women:
Assessing Misogyny as a ‘Gateway Drug’ into Violent Extremism (January 2022) and Understanding the Links between Gender-Based Violence and Mass Casualty Attacks: Private Violence and Misogyny as Public Risk (April 2022)
Misogyny, Extremism, and Gun Violence (Everytown [USA], January 2022)
Analytic report: Prevalence of domestic abuse related incidences within Prevent referrals - Project Starlight (UK Counter Terrorism Policing, November 2021), also see Research project released investigating prevalence of domestic abuse related incidences within prevent referrals
Misogyny: The Extremist Gateway? (UN Development Programme, Oslo Governance Centre, 2021)
Masculinities and Preventing Violent Extremism: Making the Connections (Equimundo, 2020)
Literature review: The links between radicalisation and violence against women and girls (Sukhwant Dhaliwal and Liz Kelly, June 2020)
Women, Peace and Security: The Sexism and Violence Nexus (Elin Bjarnegård, Erik Melander, and Jacqui True, 2020)
Conflicting Identities: The Nexus between Masculinities, Femininities and Violent Extremism in Asia (Katherine E. Brown, David Duriesmith, Farhana Rahman and Jacqui True, 2022)
Misogyny & Violent Extremism: Implications for Preventing Violent Extremism (Melissa Johnston and Jacqui True, 2019)
Also see the video recording from the National Council of Women New Zealand – Te Kaunihera Wāhine o Aotearoa panel discussion on countering misogyny in Aotearoa.
Related news
Te Mana Whakaatu – Classification Office published the report What we’re watching: New Zealanders’ views about what we see on screen and online (June 2022). The report summarises findings from a nationally representative survey of people's views on the classification system and about potential harms in movies, games, and online content. 83% of respondents were concerned about harmful or inappropriate content in social media, video-sharing sites or other websites. Responding to the report, Interim Chief Executive of InternetNZ, Andrew Cushen said “Current systems for dealing with harmful, hateful and potentially illegal content online are not working for communities. There are real concerns, real risks, and real hurt occurring right now.”
In July 2022 Meta (Facebook and Instagram), Google (including YouTube), TikTok, Twitch and Twitter signed the Aotearoa New Zealand Code of Practice for Online Safety and Harms. The global tech companies collaborated with Netsafe and NZTech on the joint agreement to establish a self-regulatory standard for online safety. NZTech will take over the establishment and administration of the Code. Advocates have raised concerns that there was not adequate community engagement and have recommended a legislative solution rather than voluntary code.
The Ministry of Justice is working with the National Iwi Chairs Forum, government agencies and community groups to develop a national action plan against racism. Between April and October 2022, the Ministry of Justice and National Iwi Chairs Forum invite communities to get involved in a workshop to have your say in developing the plan. For more information and other opportunities to get involved see the Ministry of Justice. For more information also see the Briefing paper on the forthcoming National Action Plan against Racism (2021) developed by anti-racism practitioners from across Aotearoa at a hui at AUT South Campus on March 27, 2021.
The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) has previously consulted on a draft Social Cohesion Framework. Following the consultation, MSD said the Social Cohesion team will test new versions of the framework, actions and support in April/May 2022 with Ministers and government agencies, then to Cabinet for consideration in May/June 2022.
Related media
Human Rights Act enhanced to protect religious communities, Beehive media release, 19.11.2022
Stronger terrorism laws make New Zealand safer, Beehive media release, 19.10.2022
Five Country Ministerial Communiqué, Beehive media release, 14.09.2022
Govt harbours concerns over Netsafe’s online code, Newsroom, 18.08.2022
New plan to block terrorist content online, Newsroom, 27.07.2022
Mandy Henk | CEO of Tohatoha NZ wrote, Waatea News, 26.07.2022
Year-long delay on hate crime reform unexplained, Newsroom, 29.06.2022
Kiwis more concerned than ever about extreme, unregulated online content, Stuff, 29.06.2022
Majority of New Zealanders concerned about harmful online content - report, RNZ, 29.06.2022
Kate Hannah | Disinformation Project, Waatea News, 21.06.2022
Hate speech ‘dehumanizes individuals and communities’: Guterres, UN News, 17.06.2022
Ecosystem of hate growing in NZ, Stuff, 10.06.2022
Government launches violent extremism research centre, He Whenua Taurikura, Stuff, 03.06.2022
Kidman to head anti-terror research center, Waatea News, 03.06.2022
Media law review raises thorny freedom of expression issues, Newsroom, 15.03.2022
The internet is no safer three years on from the Christchurch terror attack, Stuff, 15.03.2022
The 2022/23 Annual plan for the Controller and Auditor-General | Tumuaki o te Mana Arotake includes plans to audit how well government agencies are working together with non-governmental organisations and with others to understand the needs of those affected by family violence and sexual violence.
The Office of the Auditor-General (OAG) has provided further information about the planned audit, noting it will focus on the Interdepartmental Executive Board (IEB) of the Joint Venture, now called Te Puna Aonui. The OAG notes the audit will look at:
- "how well the IEB agencies understand the needs of those affected by family violence and sexual violence;
- how well the IEB agencies are planning to meet the needs of those affected by family violence and sexual violence; and
- how well the IEB agencies are working to ensure that responses are delivered in ways that best meet the needs of people affected by family violence and sexual violence."
The OAG also noted the goal for the audit:
"We will look to highlight good practice and identify where improvements can be made. This will include a focus on the benefits and challenges for government agencies, NGOs, tangata whenua, and communities in working together in more connected ways.
Our work will offer an opportunity for the Office to share lessons from the different approaches to working in these new ways."
The audit is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2023. You can contact the OAG to make a suggestion or ask a question about this audit by using the OAG's online feedback form.
This work is part of a multi-year programme of work to examine what public organisations are doing to reduce family violence and sexual violence. As part of this Annual plan, the OAG will also look at sexual harm in the workplace, specifically the New Zealand Defence Force’s progress on eliminating sexual harassment and bullying in the armed forces as part of Operation Respect. The OAG previously completed an audit of how well the joint venture on family and sexual violence had been set up. The Auditor-General published a report of the findings from this previous audit calling for improvements in the operation and function of the Joint Venture in June 2021.
See all OAG related content and reports on family violence.
Related news
The OAG has released a report on Māori perspectives on public accountability (July 2022). OAG commissioned Haemata Limited to research and write the report. Haemata Limited used kaupapa Māori research principles and discussions with 35 Māori participants to inform the report. The OAG has also published related reports on public accountability including Public accountability: A matter of trust and confidence (September 2019) and Building a stronger public accountability system for New Zealanders (October 2021). For more information see all OAG content on accountability.
The Protected Disclosures (Protection of Whistleblowers) Act 2022 came into force on 1 July 2022 and replaces the Protected Disclosures Act 2000. The purpose is to facilitate the disclosure and investigation of serious wrongdoing in the workplace and provide protection for employees and other workers who report concerns. According to Te Kawa Mataaho | Public Service Commission the key changes in the 2022 Act are:
- "extending the definition of serious wrongdoing to cover private sector use of public funds and authority and to cover behaviour that is a serious risk to the health and safety of any individual
- allowing people to report serious wrongdoing directly to an appropriate authority at any time, while clarifying the ability of the appropriate authority to decline or refer the disclosure
- strengthening protections for disclosers by specifying what a receiver of a disclosure should do
- clarifying internal procedure requirements for public sector organisations and requiring them to state how they will provide support to disclosers
- clarifying the potential forms of adverse conduct disclosers may face."
Organisations, both public and private sector, have responsibilities under the Act. For guidance see the Public Service Commission. For questions you can contact the Public Service Commission at commission@publicservice.govt.nz or +64 4 495 6600. Also see information on the Protected Disclosures Act from the Ombudsman.
The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) and Inland Revenue are consulting on plans to amend their Approval Information Sharing Agreement. From 1 July 2023, Child Support payments will be passed on to sole parents on a benefit. These payments will be treated as income for benefit purposes. Inland Revenue will share details of Child Support payments with MSD and Inland Revenue will charge the payments as income. As part of the revised process, MSD and Inland Revenue will revised their Approval Information Sharing Agreement. The agreement allows Inland Revenue to share Child Support payment information with MSD. The closing date to give feedback on the proposed changes is 17 August 2022. Learn more about the consultation on the MSD website.
The E Tū Whānau Ann Dysart Kahukura Award recognises outstanding grassroots leadership working collectively over the long-term to unite whānau and transform communities.
The award remembers Ann Dysart (Te Rarawa) for her ground-breaking work to establish E Tū Whānau.
E Tū Whānau described Ann as "...an ethical and visionary public servant who worked relentlessly to give Māori, and whānau of all ethnicities, real power to influence decisions affecting them and their communities." In recent years she was known for leading E Tū Whānau. Ann Dysart passed away on 28 January 2021.
E Tū Whānau describes Kahukura as "...the people who inspire change in whānau and communities, including iwi leaders, rangatahi, strong wāhine and many others.
E Tū Whānau Kahukura emerge naturally in whānau, hapū, iwi and communities as people who support, encourage and strengthen whānau by modelling values, behaviours and actions that are the positive ‘footprints’ that can be followed."
E Tū Whānau also writes that Kahukura:
- "actively create environments in which whānau are strong, safe and prosperous
- model the six E Tū Whānau values in their personal lives, as well as within their own whānau, marae and / or communities
- provide leadership to the people and groups around them
- recognise and support other leaders emerging across Aotearoa."
The Kahukura name was identified in 2011 by a group of kaumātua including Ann Dysart at the Iwi Leaders’ Forum in Waitangi to describe the leaders of change within whānau, hapū and iwi.
E Tū Whānau explains the significance of Kahukura:
"The origin of the term lies in the story of the Kuaka (Bar-tailed Godwit). When they fly into Aotearoa for the summer, they arrive in a swirling mass. Within that mass are small groups that each have a leader whose role is to cleave the air and provide the initial lift for those in their flock who are following. That lead bird, the Kahukura, provides the impetus for movement and change – as they move, they gather their group around them and, in doing so, other leaders emerge."
Learn more from Eugene Ryder about the kahukura model of leadership or watch this brief video.
Waitomo Papakāinga Development Society won the 2022 E Tū Whānau Ann Dysart Kahukura Award. Highlighting Waitomo Papakāinga, E Tū Whānau said:
"Kaitāia Social Service agency, Waitomo Papakāinga Development Society, is a trailblazer. Steeped in whanaungatanga and guided by the principles of tika, pono and aroha its kaimahi have, for the last 30 years, used a Te Ao Māori approach to meeting the diverse needs of their hapori. The E Tū Whānau kaupapa and values are woven into the fabric of what they do. They reverberate through all of their mahi, exemplifying Te mana kaha o te whānau! The power and strength of the whānau!"
In addition, 10 other individuals and organisations were finalists for the 2022 E Tū Whānau Ann Dysart Kahukura Award:
- Ngā Iwi o Mokai Patea Services Trust
- Te Hau Āwhiowhio ō Otangarei Trust
- Aliya Danzeisen
- Hauraki Whānau
- Ngā Pakiaka
- Kōkiri Marae
- Eugene Ryder
- Waitaki Multicultural Council
- Te Reo Irirangi o Te Upoko o Te Ika
- Aotearoa Latin American Community
E Tū Whānau Kaiwhakahaere, Heni Turner said “E Tū Whānau has worked alongside each and every one of these extraordinary kahukura for years.” And she also said:
“They are visionaries. Through their determination and belief in the strength and power of whānau within their communities, they have changed and enriched people’s lives.”
Watch a recording of the award ceremony for the 2022 E Tū Whānau Ann Dysart Kahukura Award.
Related news
The winning films from the E Tū Whānau Rangatahi Film Awards have been announced including:
- Filmmaker of the Year: Heriata Rurehe
- Best Edit: 'The Hunt' - Dir. Ngareta Rivers-Ingram
- Best use of Theme: 'Tohu' - Dir. Tohu Productions
- Best Performance: Table Tennis Menace - Dir. Te Kani Porter
- Best Drama: Supernatural Scenario - Dir. Caden Awhitu
- Best Documentary: The Movie - Dir. Heriata Rurehe.
The films were screened at the 2022 Māoriland Rangatahi Film Festival. You can watch these short films on the Ngā Pakiaka YouTube Channel. Ngā Pakiaka is a group of rangatahi filmmakers aged 14 – 24.
Related media
Twin Harmony recognised for mahi to end family violence, Te Ao Māori News, 16.07.2022
Heni Turner | Lead Advisor at E Tū Whānau Community Investment, Waatea News, 15.07.2022
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