A suite of Government initiatives has built momentum for efforts to reduce New Zealand’s horrific family violence track-record, says Justice Minister Amy Adams.

A discussion document launched today takes a hard look at the way the law prevents and responds to family violence, and proposes a comprehensive rethink to strengthen New Zealand’s legislative response.

The discussion document was launched by Justice Minister Amy Adams in Auckland today.

Communications Minister Amy Adams has acknowledged six New Zealand companies which have been selected as finalists in this year’s World Summit Awards for creativity and innovation in ICT.

The awards are a global showcase of 40 projects, across eight categories, with a special emphasis on those which show the benefits of information and communication technology for the development of communities.

New Zealand has finalists in six of the eight categories. Those are Figure.NZ, ARANZ Medical, Pond, Ngā Tapuwae Gallipoli, Wipster and Attitude Live.

Justice Minister Amy Adams and Social Development Minister Anne Tolley have today launched a new work programme to ensure government agencies respond better to family and sexual violence.

“Despite crime rates in New Zealand falling to a 35-year low, family violence remains unacceptably high,” Justice Minister Amy Adams says.

“We need to do more to prevent and address family violence in New Zealand.

The search is underway for an Approved Agency where victims of cyberbullying can turn to for help, Justice Minister Amy Adams announced today.

The Agency will be required to work with victims and the offending party to resolve complaints about cyberbullying in a quick and efficient way. It’s a core part of the Harmful Digital Communications Act, which passed through Parliament last month.

Dunedin businessman Ian Taylor and media specialist Helen Grattan have been appointed to the board of NZ On Air, Broadcasting Minister Amy Adams announced today.

Current members, Miriam Dean CNZM QC, Ross McRobie and Kim Wicksteed have been reappointed for varying terms.

Ms Adams said both Mr Taylor and Ms Grattan were experienced media professionals who would make a good contribution to the board. 

Communications Minister Amy Adams today launched a new online map that will allow New Zealanders to source the best broadband options available to them at their home or business.

“Access to fast speed internet is a critical enabler for the economy. Kiwis are now looking to have access to information anywhere, anytime and anyhow,” Ms Adams says. 

Courts Minister Amy Adams and ACC Minister Nikki Kaye have today announced further consultation on the proposed Accident Compensation Appeal Tribunal.

“The Government agreed in April 2014 to establish a new Accident Compensation Appeal Tribunal to replace two existing appeals bodies. The proposal was part of a package of reforms aimed at updating and modernising the justice system. The new tribunal process is expected to be faster, while still maintaining a fair process, and will have greater flexibility in resourcing,” Ms Adams says.

Efforts to improve the oversight, supervision and support for offenders deported to New Zealand, particularly from Australia, are making good headway, says Justice Minister Amy Adams.

“The Government is working hard on three pieces of work to make sure agencies are well positioned to support deported offenders, and minimise potential risks to public safety. We’re making good progress on all three work streams,” says Ms Adams.

New Zealand has a key role to play in global efforts to combat money laundering and counter the financing of terrorism, Justice Minister Amy Adams said at the opening of the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering in Auckland today.

About 360 delegates from around the world are taking part in the international gathering, including 41 member countries from the Asia-Pacific region and international organisations such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the United Nations.

The crime figures from the Better Public Services results show there were around 64,000 fewer crimes in the past year than in June 2011, though data for the most recent quarter serve as a reminder that there is always

The first stage of the Government’s sexual violence reforms are underway with the passing of the first reading of the Evidence Amendment Act today, Justice Minister Amy Adams says.

Ms Adams says the Bill will reduce unnecessary trauma and better protect victims who become involved in the court process through no fault of their own.

The Bill includes three core changes:

Up to 1000 victims of family violence will be better protected with the rollout of the National Home Safety Service, says Justice Minister Amy Adams.

The National Collective of Independent Women’s Refuges, which was awarded a three-year $3.6 million contract in March, will begin rolling out the service today.

The service will assist up to 400 victims of family violence a year, and up to 600 children, to remain in their homes with a significantly reduced risk of serious physical harm or violence.

A Bill to curb cyberbullying and better support victims passed its third and final reading in Parliament today with overwhelming cross-party support.

The Harmful Digital Communications Bill introduces a range of measures to address damaging electronic communications spread through methods such as emails, texts and social media posts.

Justice Minister Amy Adams says the law changes will prevent and reduce the potentially devastating harm caused by cyberbullying and other modern forms of harassment and intimidation.

Broadcasting Minister Amy Adams has announced the appointment of Paula Rose QSO, as a board member of the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA).

“Paula Rose has valuable experience in the policing, community, welfare and media standards areas and will bring a wealth of knowledge to the BSA,” Ms Adams says.

“Ms Rose brings wide community experience alongside membership of the Online Media Standards Authority Complaints Committee which means she is well positioned to make a constructive contribution to work of the BSA.”

Communications Minister Amy Adams today unveiled the 100,000th user to benefit from the Government’s Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) rollout.

Outdoor media provider Go Media became the landmark customer to have UFB installed when it was successfully connected to Enable’s network in Christchurch.

Ms Adams hailed the latest milestone as a huge achievement from a programme that is seeing a record number of households, businesses and schools connect to fibre.

Communications Minister Amy Adams says the second annual Connect Smart Awareness Week is a reminder to be vigilant about online security.

Kicking off tomorrow, this year’s Connect Smart Week has a particular focus on educating and supporting SMEs.

“Small businesses are absolutely critical to our economy and the internet is creating opportunities for New Zealand businesses to sell goods and services all over the world with ease,” Ms Adams says.

Communications Minister Amy Adams today announced that the build programme for the first stage of the Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) initiative has now reached the midway point.

Speaking at the Kapiti Tech Expo in Paraparaumu, Ms Adams says the milestone highlights the success of the private-public partnership of UFB.

Mobile phone calls to 111 will be quicker and safer in future with the development of a new app, Communications Minister Amy Adams has announced.

“Creating this new app will allow Emergency Services to better respond to New Zealanders in need of urgent help. The app, to be developed by mid-2016, will automatically provide caller location information to emergency services. This will help save lives and reduce damage and theft of property,” says Ms Adams.

The Government has agreed to extend White Pages’ successful opt-in service across New Zealand, Communications Minister Amy Adams has announced.

For the third year in a row, White Pages Residential will provide an opt-in service in Auckland which will see 475,000 fewer phonebooks delivered across the city. The opt-in service has been approved on an ongoing basis with Yellow given the flexibility to apply this nationally as appropriate.