Experts seek Bay views on crime
The Government’s Safe and Effective Justice Programme Advisory Group, Te Uepu¯ Ha¯pai i te Ora, will visit Hawke’s Bay next week as part of its nationwide consultation to gather information on the criminal justice system.
This is the 10th of 12 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 a public drop-in session in Hastings, where everyone is welcome to present their views on the criminal justice system.
This will be on Wednesday, November 28, at Hastings Library from 1.30-3.30pm. It will also hold roundtable discussions in these centres with groups and others who work in and with the system.
A spokesperson said the group has been appointed to support the Ha¯pitia te Oranga Tangata Safe and Effective Justice Programme, which the Gov- ernment 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 chairman, and nine others who have experience working in or alongside the justice system.
Members who will attend the Hawke’s Bay meetings are Dr Carwyn Jones, Shila Nair, Quentin Hix, and Dr Jarrod Gilbert.
Other members of the group are Professor Tracey McIntosh, Ruth Money, Professor Tony Ward, Julia Whaipooti, and Dr Warren Young.
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 Hawke’s Bay 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.”