Displaying 1 - 24 of 255 results.

The roll out of the Flagship Programme to reduce crime and re-offending in Papakura, Hamilton and the East Coast is making excellent progress, Justice Minister Judith Collins announced today.

Ms Collins visited both the Papakura and Hamilton projects recently to see first-hand the progress being made and to meet the frontline staff involved.

“The key to the Flagship Programme is increased collaboration between Police, Justice, Corrections and other frontline providers tailored to the specific needs of communities and vulnerable families,” Ms Collins says.

  • Judith Collins
  • Justice

ACC Minister Judith Collins today announced an addition to the Objectionable Publications and Indecency Legislation Bill that would extend ACC sensitive claims cover to children or young people who are victims of sexual grooming or indecent communications.

“There is a gap in the current ACC law that needs addressing to establish cover for victims of these types of child sexual exploitation,” Ms Collins says.

  • Judith Collins
  • Justice
  • ACC

More parents are resolving their disputes outside of court only months after the Government’s family justice reforms came into effect, Justice Minister Judith Collins announced today.

“Progress to date confirms our reforms are empowering people to resolve their parenting disputes outside of court, minimising the stress children often face when their parents separate,” Ms Collins says.

  • Judith Collins
  • Justice

Justice Minister Judith Collins today announced the appointment of two new members to the Board of Public Trust. 

Lyn Lim will replace retiring Board member Rodger Finlay and Michelle van Gaalen will join the Board to fill a current vacancy.

“I congratulate Ms Lim and Ms van Gaalen on their appointments to the Board and I thank Mr Finlay for his five years’ service,” Ms Collins says.

“These two appointments will bring the Board back to strength and add a fresh perspective on Public Trust’s business and customer base.”

  • Judith Collins
  • Justice

Justice Minister Judith Collins today announced that, in a first for the public sector, the Justice sector has reached and surpassed two of its four Better Public Services targets, three years ahead of schedule.

“Along with the Attorney-General and Ministers of Police, Corrections and Courts, I’m delighted the Justice sector continues to be the leading sector in meeting its BPS targets,” Ms Collins says.

  • Judith Collins
  • Justice

Justice Minister Judith Collins and Associate Justice Minister Chester Borrows today announced the appointment of eight members to the new Youth Crime Action Plan Advisory Group.

The Advisory Group will provide advice to Ministers in the area of youth justice to support the implementation of the Government’s Youth Crime Action Plan.

  • Chester Borrows
  • Judith Collins
  • Justice

Justice Minister Judith Collins is delighted the Justice sector’s efforts to reduce crime and reoffending in the Hutt Valley were recognised at last night’s 2014 IPANZ Awards.

  • Judith Collins
  • Justice

Justice Minister Judith Collins will travel to Melbourne today to attend the inaugural meeting of the Law, Crime and Community Safety Council (LCCSC) with Australian ministers tomorrow.

The LCCSC replaces the previous Standing Council on Law and Justice and the Standing Council on Police and Emergency Management. The Council is made up of ministers responsible for law, justice, police and emergency management and includes representatives from New Zealand, Australia and each of its states and territories.

  • Judith Collins
  • Justice

A cross-government approach to prevent family violence proposes new Justice sector initiatives to keep women and children safe, Justice Minister Judith Collins and Police and Corrections Minister Anne Tolley announced today.

“The high rate of family violence in New Zealand is unacceptable – too many domestic violence victims continue to be re-victimised even when a protection order is in place,” Ms Collins says.

  • Anne Tolley
  • Judith Collins
  • Police
  • Justice
  • Corrections

Justice Minister Judith Collins today announced Fletcher Construction Company Limited has been awarded the main contract to construct the new Christchurch Justice and Emergency Services Precinct.

“Construction of the Precinct will be one of the largest multi-agency government co-location projects in New Zealand history. I welcome Fletcher Construction’s commitment to delivering this project,” Ms Collins says.

  • Judith Collins
  • Justice

A new bill to combat organised crime and corruption will ensure New Zealand maintains its world class reputation for perceived levels of corruption, Justice Minister Judith Collins says.

The Organised Crime and Anti-corruption Legislation Bill was introduced to Parliament today and implements a number of new measures to respond to the threat posed by international and domestic organised crime.

  • Judith Collins
  • Justice

Victims of serious violent and sexual offences will be better protected by a new order to help prevent their offender from contacting them, Justice Minister Judith Collins says.

The Victims’ Orders Against Violent Offenders Bill, which passed its final reading today, creates a ‘non-contact order’ to reduce the risk of unwanted contact between victims and their offender.

  • Judith Collins
  • Justice

Justice Minister Judith Collins has welcomed the Law Commission’s report on the Liability of Multiple Defendants, which was tabled in Parliament today.

The Report considers whether the current joint and several liability rule, applying in civil cases for property damage, should be retained, replaced or amended in general.

“As part of the Government’s response to issues raised in leaky buildings cases, the Government asked the Law Commission to review the rules governing the liability of multiple defendants,” Ms Collins said.

  • Judith Collins
  • Justice

Justice Minister Judith Collins has joined 70 other Ministers from around the world and pledged New Zealand’s commitment to a global effort to help end sexual violence in conflict.

Ms Collins has recently returned from London where she attended The Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict. The Summit was chaired by UK Foreign Secretary, William Hague and the Special Envoy of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Angelina Jolie.

  • Judith Collins
  • Justice

A new agreement between New Zealand and England and Wales will ensure our countries continue to work together to improve their family justice systems.

  • Judith Collins
  • Justice

Justice Minister Judith Collins leaves for the United Kingdom this weekend to represent New Zealand at the world’s largest international gathering to help end sexual violence in conflict.

The Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, to be held in London 10-13 June, aims to create global momentum towards ending rape and sexual violence in conflict by delivering practical agreements among nations.

Ms Collins says sexual violence is an abhorrent crime that perpetuates conflict and instability.

  • Judith Collins
  • Justice

Justice Minister Judith Collins today welcomed a tender for mediators to deliver a Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) option to help people settle their disputes within the new family justice system.

Ms Collins says the FDR service, which uses trained mediators to help people reach agreement without a lawyer or having to go to court, is the cornerstone of this Government’s recent family justice changes.

  • Judith Collins
  • Justice

A pilot programme supporting families at risk of serious harm from domestic abuse to stay safely in their own homes will be extended for 12 months, Justice Minister Judith Collins announced today.

Ms Collins says the Government will invest $500,000 to extend the safe@home service for one year from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015. This funding is part of an overall spend of $5.9 million on grants and services for victims of serious crime funded through the Offender Levy.

  • Judith Collins
  • Justice

Significant improvements to our nation’s privacy laws will deliver stronger protections for New Zealanders’ personal information, Justice Minister Judith Collins announced today.

The Government had previously signalled its intention to repeal and re-enact the Privacy Act, following a Law Commission report that recommended overhauling and updating the law.

“It’s vital that New Zealanders have confidence in our privacy laws, and that people know their information is in safe hands,” Ms Collins says.

  • Judith Collins
  • Justice

The rights’ of victims will be strengthened and expanded following the third and final reading of the Victims of Crime Reform Bill in Parliament today.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says the Bill delivers this Government’s commitment to protecting victims who have found themselves in the criminal justice system through no fault of their own.

“The experience of crime and its aftermath can be extremely stressful for victims and their families,” Ms Collins says.

  • Judith Collins
  • Justice

The Government has formally responded to a report by a UN agency that highlights New Zealand’s strong track record in protecting New Zealanders’ human rights, Justice Minister Judith Collins says.

The report, from the United Nations Human Rights Council, includes 155 recommendations based on a Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of New Zealand, which Ms Collins attended in Geneva earlier this year.

  • Judith Collins
  • Justice

Budget 2014 boosts funding for the Office of the Privacy Commissioner to protect Kiwis’ private information in a more collaborative and technologically driven environment, Justice Minister Judith Collins says.

“Safe and efficient collection, storage and exchange of personal information leads to better services, helping to modernise the state sector for the good of New Zealanders and the wider economy,” she says.

  • Judith Collins
  • Justice
  • Budget 2014

Justice Minister Judith Collins today announced the reappointment of the Honourable Justice Sir Grant Hammond as President of the Law Commission.

“I’m pleased to announce the reappointment of Sir Grant Hammond as the President of the Law Commission for a further two years’ term from 15 May 2014,” says Ms Collins.

“Sir Grant has been an outstanding leader of the Law Commission during his first term and it’s fantastic that he’s able to continue this leadership for a further two years.”

  • Judith Collins
  • Justice

Justice Minister Judith Collins says feedback from New Zealand’s first Leading Justice Symposium yesterday reinforced New Zealand’s chance to lead the way with innovative justice and crime prevention measures.

The successful Leading Justice Symposium, held at Parliament, highlighted the importance of collaboration across the justice sector as a key to reducing crime, better supporting victims and speeding up court processes.

  • Judith Collins
  • Justice