Releases

Crime is significantly down over the last five years, but the latest figures highlight that more work needs to be done to drive it down further, Justice Minister Amy Adams says. The Justice Sector’s BPS results for the quarter ending June 2016 released today show increases in all four measures, although all remain down on 2011 levels.  ...

Ministers today welcomed the start of the second Integrated Safety Response (ISR) pilot site in Waikato and announced another $1.4 million in new funding to support the pilot programme. The ISR pilot involves core agencies and specialist family violence NGOs working together as a team to ensure that families experiencing violence get the help and support they need to stay safe. An additional $1.4 million from the Justice Sector Fund will support the new site in Waikato, as well as the Christchurch pilot site which has been up and running since 4 July. ...

Justice Minister Amy Adams will today travel to Melbourne to attend the Law, Crime and Community Safety Council (LCCSC). “The LCCSC is a joint-Ministerial council which helps maintain a consistent Trans-Tasman focus on fighting crime and promoting best practice in law, criminal justice and community safety,” says Ms Adams. The meeting will focus on a range of topics including: ...

Justice Minister Amy Adams has today announced two key appointments to the Electoral Commission. Alicia Wright is to be appointed as the Chief Electoral Officer of the Commission and Kristy McDonald QC as the Deputy Chair. Both will be appointed for a term of five years. Ms Adams says the Commission requires strong leadership in order to maintain New Zealand’s politically neutral and independent democratic processes. ...

Justice and Broadcasting Minister Amy Adams says a planned refresh of the outdated format of election broadcasts will modernise them in time for the 2017 General Election. Ms Adams announced today that the Broadcasting (Election Programmes and Election Advertising) Amendment Bill will be introduced to Parliament next week. The Bill will remove the requirement for political parties’ opening and closing election broadcasts to be aired on television and radio. It will also remove the requirement for TVNZ and Radio NZ to provide free time for these. ...