Family Courts Matters Bill

I introduced the Family Courts Matters Bill to the House in August, which has now been referred to the Social Services Select Committee.

The Bill is an omnibus bill, which amends legislation to further increase the openness of the Family Courts and improves a number of processes and procedures in the Family Courts.

It is not designed to be a major overhaul of the Family Courts, but is a largely operational bill focusing on making improvements to processes and procedures. The Bill takes the first step towards introducing non-judge led (or family) mediation on a permanent basis. I see mediation as particularly helpful for resolving matters about the care of children, as it helps separating couples sort out arrangements that will work best for them.

Registrars’ Powers in the Youth Jurisdiction Handbook

Service Improvement Programme has been implemented in District Courts that focuses on up-skilling staff, improving information technology, and improving services for the public. It will increase the capacity of our courts to meet the demands of communities now and in the future.

I am pleased to say that the Ministry is continuing to build on this path of “continuous improvement” and we now have a training resource for every jurisdiction – Family Criminal, Civil and now Youth.

Along with Principal Youth Court Judge Andrew Becroft, I was on hand to help with the launch of the Registrars’ Powers in the Youth Jurisdiction, handbook and the associated On-Line Modules are the fourth set of jurisdictional specific training resources that have been developed.

Gisborne Mäori Land Court

I travelled to Gisborne to open the refurbished Gisborne Mäori Land Court on 7 September. This is the fifth Mäori Land Court premises that has been substantially re-furbished in the past three years, following work on the Maori Land Courts in  Christchurch, Wellington, Rotorua and Hastings.

The Mäori Land Court is a unique organisation fulfilling a very special role, with records going back 150 years, which is a unique taonga.  I know that issues relating to the ownership of Mäori Land can be very complex, and new jurisdictions involving customary rights may be equally challenging.