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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.

Ladies and gentlemen, warm greetings and good evening to you all.

It’s a great pleasure to be here this evening to open the 2014 edition of the Diverse Bananas, Global Dragons Conference.

In New Zealand we value the contribution of every person that has made this country their home. I’d like to say that as people put their faith, trust and commitment in New Zealand, so must we to all who choose to make New Zealand their home.  

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.

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.

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.

Drums will beat at Parliament today to celebrate Africa Day 2014 and Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins says the annual event is a strong symbol of unity and New Zealand’s diversity.

This evening Ms Collins will host diplomats, community leaders and MPs at Parliament to commemorate the 1963 founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now recognised as the Africa Union (AU).

“Africa Day celebrates efforts to help bring about an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa,” says Ms Collins.

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.

Budget 2014 indicates the Accident Compensation Corporation is on track to provide further levy cuts for New Zealanders of around $480 million in 2015/16, following more pleasing results over the past year, ACC Minister Judith Collins says.

“The Government will make its final decision after ACC’s public consultation, but we anticipate the bulk of these cuts will be for motor vehicle levies, along with the possibility of a levy reduction for employers and the self-employed.”

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.

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.”

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.

Thank you Miriam, and thank you Prime Minister.

I would like to reiterate the Prime Minister’s welcome to you. In particular I welcome our international guests:

Justice Minister Judith Collins says the latest Justice sector Better Public Services results for reducing crime and re-offending, are the best quarterly results since the targets were set.

The Better Public Services (BPS) targets set a goal of a 15 per cent reduction in total crime by June 2017, compared to baseline figures from June 2011.

“It’s fantastic news that our latest Justice sector BPS results show the total crime rate has reduced by 14 per cent between June 2011 and December 2013,” says Ms Collins.

Justice Minister Judith Collins has today announced justice sector experts will converge on Wellington this Tuesday for New Zealand’s first Leading Justice Symposium.

“This Symposium will bring high-calibre experts together to discuss and share valuable insights on justice issues and how to address the changing nature of crime,” Ms Collins says.

Justice Minister Judith Collins has received the Ministry of Justice report, The Effectiveness of Alcohol Pricing Policies.

The report considers options for a minimum pricing regime and the possible costs and benefits.

Ms Collins says the Government will not be introducing minimum pricing on alcohol as this would hit moderate drinkers in the pocket when there is no compelling evidence that increasing the price of alcohol is the correct approach.

A successful Justice sector frontline pilot, which saw a dramatic drop in total crime in the Hutt Valley, will benefit three other areas, Justice Minister Judith Collins has announced.

“I’m pleased to announce that a ‘Flagship Programme’ to reduce crime and re-offending has been rolled out to Papakura, Hamilton and the East Coast,” says Ms Collins.

The Flagship Programme is based on the very successful Hutt Valley Innovation Project.

The Government’s Family Court reforms have only been in effect one week but already traffic to the new family justice website has increased fivefold.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says the new website provides fresher, customer-focused information and video support to help New Zealanders settle disputes about the care of their children out of court.

“Every year thousands of cases about how children will be cared for are being decided in court when they don’t need to be,” Ms Collins says.

The 2014 series of EthnicA conferences kicks off in Hamilton tomorrow and Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins is stressing the importance of diverse leadership for New Zealand’s success. 

“As the face and heart of New Zealand becomes more diverse, it’s crucial that leaders in ethnic communities play a more active role shaping decision-making,” says Ms Collins.

Restorative justice conferences continue to have a positive impact on reducing crime and empowering victims, Justice Minister Judith Collins says.

Research released today by the Ministry of Justice shows recidivism rates by offenders who went through the restorative justice process are 12 per cent lower compared to similar offenders who did not participate. 

“As well as reducing crime, restorative justice continues to play an important role in empowering victims,” Ms Collins says.

ACC Minister Judith Collins says substantial levy cuts for employers and workers take effect tomorrow as a result of the Scheme’s excellent performance over the last few years.

“Tomorrow marks the fortieth birthday of the Accident Compensation scheme and it’s great that New Zealanders will be celebrating by keeping more money in their pockets,” Ms Collins says.

ACC is expected to double its spending on treatment for people with work or injury related hearing loss and ACC Minister Judith Collins says this has been supported by improved collaboration between ACC and the hearing sector.

The number of young people facing court charges has fallen to the lowest level since records began more than 20 years ago, Justice Minister Judith Collins announced today.

The latest Child and Youth Prosecution Statistics show the number of children and young people (aged 10 to 16 years) appearing in court in 2013 decreased from 3,012 to 2,487 – the lowest number since the statistical series began in 1992. Since the peak in 2007, the number of children and young people in court has halved from 5,061 to 2,487 – a drop of 51 per cent.

Ladies and gentlemen

Good morning.

Thank you for this – very timely – opportunity to speak to you this morning about the Government’s reforms of New Zealand’s family justice system. Yesterday the Governor-General signed an Order in Council, setting 31 March as the day the new system comes into effect. And later today the Ministry of Justice will launch a new Family Justice website, and begin a public awareness campaign.

The Government’s reforms of our family justice system come into force on Monday 31 March, Justice Minister Judith Collins announced today.

Ms Collins told the Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand (AMINZ) Breakfast meeting in Auckland this morning that the reforms mark the most significant changes to New Zealand’s Family Court since its establishment 33 years ago.

“Our reforms are the culmination of three years of work to bring New Zealand’s family justice system into the 21st Century,” Ms Collins says.