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The Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) has today launched a new codebook of updated broadcasting Codes of Practice, Broadcasting Minister Amy Adams says.

The BSA’s Codes of Practice for free-to-air television, pay television, and radio have been reviewed and updated into user-friendly principles which will accommodate the wide range of delivery platforms used today by New Zealand audiences.

“The new codebook is the product of the BSA’s extensive consultation with broadcasters and members of the public, spanning over a year,” says Ms Adams.

The passing of the Radio New Zealand Amendment Bill ensures the iconic broadcaster is better equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities of a multi-media era, Broadcasting Minister Amy Adams said today.

“This Bill strongly reaffirms RNZ’s role as an independent, commercial-free, public service broadcaster, providing it with the freedom to speak for and comment on New Zealand society,” Ms Adams says.

“The new Charter setting out RNZ’s purpose is up-to-date and flexible.

The number of young people, aged 10 to 16 appearing before the courts has fallen to a 20 year low, Justice and Courts Minister Amy Adams says.

In addition, the total number of adults charged and convicted in New Zealand courts has also fallen to its lowest level since 1980, reflecting the government’s focus on reducing crime and reoffending rates.

Thank you, Mr President,

It is an honour to be here this morning as the first New Zealand Minister to present to the Human Rights Council.

Keeping human rights in the spotlight

A decade on from the establishment of this Council and 50 years since the adoption of the two foundational human rights covenants, it is timely to reflect on the progress and challenges in the promotion and protection of human rights.

Three new Better Public Services supporting measures will help drive the public sector to understand the scale and impact of family violence and the number of re-offenders, Justice Minister Amy Adams has announced.

Ms Adams today released the Justice Sector’s BPS results for the quarter ending September 2015, which show reductions in the rates of total crime (down 17 per cent), youth crime (down 39 per cent), re-offending (down 7.7 per cent) and violent crime (down 10 per cent) since 2011.

Ms Adams today leaves for Europe to attend several meetings covering human rights and efforts to combat corruption.

In Geneva, Ms Adams will lead a delegation to present the Government’s latest report under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to the UN Human Rights Committee. Ms Adams will also deliver a National Statement to the UN Human Rights Council.

“To be the first New Zealand Minister to deliver a speech to the Human Rights Council is an honour,” Ms Adams says.

Justice and Courts Minister Amy Adams placed the last bit of cement on the Christchurch Justice and Emergency Services Precinct’s rooftop as part of today’s topping off ceremony.

“This marks an important milestone in the Precinct’s development as well as a chance to recognise the significant progress we have made since construction began 15 months ago,” Ms Adams says.

“There’s now just over a year to go until we deliver on our commitment to provide Cantabrians with modern and effective justice and emergency services.

Tauranga is the fifteenth urban area where the rollout of Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) is finished, announced Communications Minister Amy Adams today.

“At the end of January, almost a quarter of the 54,600 homes and businesses in Tauranga which could connect to UFB had done so – and that’s the third highest uptake in New Zealand,” Ms Adams says.

“The UFB rollout in Tauranga started in August 2011, and total investment in the build exceeds $75 million.”

Justice Minister Amy Adams has welcomed a recommendation from the Law Commission to make strangulation a specific crime, saying it fits well with the Government’s review of family violence laws.

“Strangulation is an abhorrent act. This is a deeply personal and intimidating form of violence. In a domestic violence context, it’s more than just a physical attack and can have a devastating and long-lasting psychological impact on victims,” Ms Adams says.

Policies to tackle youth crime are succeeding with the number of children and young people appearing in New Zealand’s courts dropping by more than 60 percent since 2007/8, Justice Minister Amy Adams says.

In the 2007/08 financial year, 4998 children and young people (10-16 year olds) appeared in youth courts. By the 2014/15 financial year, this had dropped by almost 61 per cent to 1959.

Ms Adams says the Government remains committed to driving down youth crime.

Good morning

It’s a pleasure to be here this morning to present the opening address at the 2nd Media Technology Pacific conference representing both my Communications and Broadcasting portfolios.

It’s no accident that I hold both those roles. 

After serving as Communications and IT Minister for three years during our previous term it had become clear to me that the space between these areas was shrinking so quickly that to deal with one without the other risked missing the realities of what was occurring in the real world. 

New Zealanders have supported the Government’s call for new and bold ways to address family violence, Justice Minister Amy Adams says.

Ms Adams today released a summary of the submissions received during a public consultation about the Government’s comprehensive review of family violence laws.

The summary details the range and strength of views on the ideas the public discussion document released last August, as well as additional ideas raised in the submissions.

Courts Minister Amy Adams has today welcomed an agreement with Waitaki District Council that will see the restoration and re-opening of the historic courthouse in Oamaru.

“Having seen and heard firsthand the concern that many members of the Oamaru community have for this building, I tasked officials to work constructively alongside Waitaki Council to find a lasting solution for the Oamaru Courthouse,” says Ms Adams.

One in five of the households, schools and businesses throughout New Zealand which can connect to the Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) initiative have chosen to do so, Communications Minister Amy Adams today announced.

Across New Zealand, around 184,000 households and businesses have connected as at end of February 2016, taking total UFB uptake to 20 per cent.

The threat of losing the right to drive has seen an extra $43.5 million in unpaid fines collected in the last two years, Justice Minister Amy Adams has announced.

A Driver Licence Stop Order (DLSO) can be imposed on anyone who fails to pay traffic-related fines imposed by a Court, Police or local government authority – or reparations imposed by a Court for traffic-related offences.

The Government’s focus on rolling out better broadband and mobile connectivity is reaping rewards with New Zealand’s position continuing to rise compared to the developed world, Communication Minister Amy Adams says.

The OECD’s latest Broadband Subscriptions report to end of June 2015 places New Zealand second in the world for machine to machine connectivity, fourth for mobile broadband (up from ninth), and fourteenth for fixed broadband (up from fifteenth place) moving us ahead of the US for the first time.

The 2016 Global Economic Crime Survey from PwC underlines that the issue of cyber security belongs in the boardroom, not the IT Department, says Communications Minister Amy Adams.

The PwC survey found that 40 per cent of New Zealand organisations have experienced cybercrime over the past two years, but only 45 per cent of all organisations have a cyber incident response plan. The report places New Zealand 19th out of 115 countries.

An independent committee’s latest report on reducing family violence has highlighted that Government efforts are on the right track, say Justice Minister Amy Adams and Social Development Minister Anne Tolley.

The Family Violence Death Review Committee, which conducts independent reviews on family violence related deaths, has today released its fifth report. The report recommendations largely endorse the work of the Ministerial Group on Family and Sexual Violence.

The Government has agreed to streamline consenting rules to help speed up the installation of the ever-popular Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) rollout, Communication Minister Amy Adams announced today.

The changes are part of the first phase of its Land Access Reforms to reduce delays and frustrations with getting properties connected to UFB. They follow on from the Land Access for Telecommunications Discussion Document released last year.

The $180 million investment into the rollout of Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) programme demonstrates the Government’s commitment to rebuilding a smart and sustainable Christchurch, Communications Minister Amy Adams says.

“As we mark the fifth anniversary of the Christchurch Earthquake, the Christchurch rebuild is gaining pace and the thousands of kilometres of fibre optic cables being laid under the city is transforming the way we work, learn and stay connected,” Ms Adams says.

Christchurch’s largest multi-agency project, the Justice and Emergency Services Precinct, is now 12 months away from completion, and reflects the Government’s ongoing commitment to the rebuild, says Justice and Courts Minister Amy Adams.

“This $300 million investment is unique because for the first time, all essential regional justice and emergency services will be brought together under one roof, encouraging a more collaborative approach to delivering services and responding to emergencies.”

Communications Minister Amy Adams has announced that the $31 million Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) build in New Plymouth has been completed.

New Plymouth is the fourteenth urban area where UFB has been deployed, and the second in Taranaki after Hawera was completed in February 2015.

“Around 25,000 homes and businesses in New Plymouth can connect to UFB and by last Christmas around 14.4 per cent of those had connected,” Ms Adams says.

In response to speculation in media today about David Bain’s compensation claim, Justice Minister Amy Adams said:

“I can confirm that I have received Mr Callinan’s report. In accordance with the agreed process, parties now have an opportunity to provide any further information they wish me to consider in respect of the report.

“I will not begin consideration of Mr Callinan’s report and the advice I will take to Cabinet, until I have that information.

Victims of sexual violence and their families are receiving financial grants and support services thanks to the Government’s Offender Levy, says Justice Minister Amy Adams.

The $50 levy, which generated more than $3.6 million in the 2014/15 financial year, is imposed on all offenders at the point of sentencing.

“The Offender Levy generates funds that help ease some of the financial and emotional pressures faced by victims of serious crime. It also ensures offenders contribute to addressing the harm their offending has caused,” says Ms Adams.