Criminal Justice Advisory Group to visit Waikato

8 November 2018

The Government’s Safe and Effective Justice Programme Advisory Group – Te Uepū Hāpai i te Ora – will visit Hamilton, Tokoroa, Te Kuiti and Taupo on November 13 and 14 as part of its nationwide consultation to gather information on the criminal justice system.

This is the fifth 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.

The Advisory Group will hold public conversation sessions in each centre, where everyone is welcome to present their views on the criminal justice system.

In Hamilton, the public session will be on Tuesday 13 November in at Waikato University, room MSB 1.02 from 9:30am - 11:30am.

In Tokoroa, it will be on 13 November at the Tokoroa Public Library, 53/86 Mannering St, from 2pm-4pm.

In Te Kuiti, it will be on 14 November at the Community Room (above the library), 28 Taupiri St, from 10am-12pm.

In Taupo, it will be on 14 November at the Great Lake Centre, 5 Story Pl, from 3pm-5pm.

The Group will also hold roundtable discussions in these centres with groups and others who work in and with the system.

The Group has been appointed to support the Hāpaitia 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 canvas 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 Waikato meetings are Mr Borrows, Dr Carwyn Jones, Dr Jarrod Gilbert, and Shila Nair.

Other members of the Group are Quentin Hix, Professor Tracey McIntosh, Ruth Money, Dr Warren Young, Professor Tony Ward and Julia Whaipooti.

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’ve had a great response and lots of ideas presented to us in meetings we’ve held in other centres, and we’re excited about engaging independently in Waikato 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 Submissions

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

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