Justice
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Justice Minister Amy Adams says Privacy Week 2015 is a reminder to people about the importance of keeping personal information secure.

Privacy Week begins today and is an annual Asia Pacific initiative to promote awareness of privacy issues.

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Justice Minister Amy Adams has declined a request from supporters of Peter Ellis for a Commission of Inquiry on the basis that an inquiry cannot be used to determine the liability of any person.

Amy Adams Justice
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Justice Minister Amy Adams says a new draft Victims Code of Rights will help to ensure victims are better informed and put them at the heart of the justice system.

The draft code outlines victims’ rights, the services available to victims and their families from government agencies and other organisations, and the obligations of justice sector agencies when dealing with victims.

Ms Adams says the Government is seeking people’s views on how easy the draft code is to understand and how to ensure people know about it.

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Justice Minister Amy Adams has received a letter from the lawyers for Teina Pora formally notifying her of a claim for compensation for “wrongful conviction and imprisonment”.

Mr Pora spent over 21 years in prison for the rape and murder of Susan Burdett, before his conviction was quashed by the Privy Council in March 2015. The Privy Council did not order a retrial.

Ms Adams said that as no retrial was ordered by the Privy Council, Mr Pora's application will be treated as being within Cabinet Guidelines. 

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A Bill to better protect children from sexual exploitation passed its final reading in Parliament today with unanimous support.

Justice Minister Amy Adams says the Objectionable Publications and Indecency Legislation Bill sends a clear message that activities which sexually exploit children are abhorrent and will not be tolerated.

“The law changes reflect the ease with which criminals can now access, share and distribute child sexual abuse material, and address the changing ways perpetrators can communicate with children,” says Ms Adams

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Almost 70 per cent of family disputes referred to mediation involving children are being settled out of court a year on from the Government’s family justice reforms says Justice Minister Amy Adams.

Amy Adams Justice
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Legislation modernising rules applying to Royal succession to the throne came into force today in New Zealand and in the 16 Realms that share the Queen as Head of State.

Justice Minister Amy Adams says the Royal Succession Act makes three specific changes to the Royal succession rules:

Amy Adams Justice
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New Zealanders are seeing huge improvements in the time it takes to access justice services with a big reduction in the average age of District Court criminal cases, Justice and Courts Minister Amy Adams announced.

As at the end of December 2014, there was a nationwide reduction of 21.5 per cent in the average age of criminal cases since April 2013 – with an average time of 99 days for active cases.

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A Bill to curb the growing incidence of cyberbullying and its devastating effects passed its second reading in Parliament last night.

The Harmful Digital Communications Bill introduces a range of measures to address damaging online communications and ensure perpetrators are held to account for their actions.

Justice Minister Amy Adams says the Bill will prevent and reduce the harm caused by cyberbullying and harassment.

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The number of young people (aged 10 to 16 years old) appearing in court has more than halved since 2007, Justice and Courts Minister Amy Adams announced today.

The latest Conviction and Sentencing and Child and Youth Prosecution Statistics for 2014 show the number of children and adults facing charges in courts is decreasing.

“More than 400 fewer young people appeared in court than in 2013. This is the lowest point in more than 20 years and more than 50 per cent lower than its peak in 2007,” says Ms Adams.

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A senior retired Australian judge has been appointed to head up the inquiry into David Bain’s compensation claim, Justice Minister Amy Adams announced today.

Hon Ian Callinan AC QC, a former Justice of the High Court of Australia, has been appointed to conduct a fresh inquiry into Mr Bain’s claim for compensation for wrongful conviction and imprisonment.

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A new youth court for Tauranga will place a stronger focus on addressing offending by young Māori says Justice and Courts Minister Amy Adams.


Ms Adams today spoke at the opening of the Rangatahi Court at Hairini Marae in Tauranga. 

The Rangatahi Courts, a judiciary-led initiative, were established in 2008 to provide a better rehabilitative response to Māori young offenders by encouraging strong cultural links and involving communities in the youth justice process. The Tauranga court is the thirteenth to open.

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Speech

Tena koutou nga Iwi o Tauranga moana nei (Greetings/salutations to you all the tribes of this area - Tauranga )

Ngai te Rangi     Ngai te Rangi (one of the Iwi)

Ngati Ranginui   Ngati Ranginui (one of the Iwi)

Ngati Pukenga   Ngati Pukenga (one of the Iwi).

Taku mihi tenei   ki a koutou katoa          (This is my acknowledgment to you all.)

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Justice Minister Amy Adams has today launched the expansion of the National Home Safety Service to better protect up to 1000 victims of family violence each year.

The National Collective of Independent Women’s Refuges has been awarded a three-year $3.6 million contract which will begin on 1 July 2015.

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.

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Justice and Courts Minister Amy Adams has welcomed the addition of the Gisborne courthouse to the audio visual link (AVL) network that connects courts and prisons.

The new link is the latest in a $27.8 million upgrade and expansion of AVL links to a total of 17 courts and 13 prisons. The installation of AVL into the Dunedin courthouse is expected to be completed by May.

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The Bill reducing the number of unnecessary parole hearings for offenders who still pose a threat to the community passed its third and final reading in Parliament last night.

Justice Minister Amy Adams welcomed the progress of the Parole Amendment Bill, which implements the Government’s plan to reduce the number of parole hearings where the offender has little prospect of release.

The Bill also includes a range of measures to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the parole system.

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A Bill to better protect children from sexual exploitation passed its second reading in Parliament last night.

The Objectionable Publications and Indecency Legislation Bill increases the penalties for making, trading or possessing child sexual abuse material – and introduces a new offence for communicating with young people in an indecent manner.

Justice Minister Amy Adams says the Bill sends a clear message that activities which sexually exploit children are abhorrent and will not be tolerated.

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Justice Minister Amy Adams leaves today to attend an international law conference in London alongside Justice Ministers and Attorney Generals from around the world.

The Global Law Summit, held over 23 to 25 February, is a collaboration between the British Government, the City of London and the legal sector to mark the sealing of Magna Carta by King John at Runnymede in 1215.

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A Bill to make the coronial system quicker and more effective passed its first reading in Parliament today.

Justice Minister Amy Adams says the Coroners Amendment Bill focuses on improving the timeliness and efficiency of the coronial system and providing better support to families.

The Bill follows a targeted review of the Coroners Act 2006. The proposed reforms include changes to improve public safety, reduce unnecessary reporting of deaths that do not need to be looked into, and speed up the coronial process to make things easier on families. 

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The Government has agreed to set aside all previous advice relating to David Bain’s compensation claim and conduct a fresh inquiry, Justice Minister Amy Adams has announced.

In November 2011, former Canadian Supreme Court judge Justice Ian Binnie was appointed to provide advice on the claim. He completed his report in August 2012.

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A renewed focus on tackling the drivers of crime has helped the Government exceed its Better Public Service (BPS) target to reduce crime two and a half years ahead of schedule, Justice Minister Amy Adams has announced

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A Bill to speed up justice and modernise New Zealand’s courts has passed its second reading in Parliament today.

Justice Minister Amy Adams says the Judicature Modernisation Bill supports the Government’s commitment to delivering a 21st Century justice system.

“New Zealand has a strong, well-functioning justice system. However society and technology are changing rapidly and it’s increasingly clear that it must be modernised if it is to deliver in a 21st century world,” says Ms Adams.

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Justice Minister Amy Adams has today confirmed the Law Commission’s 2015 work programme.

Among the priority areas, the Law Commission will review measures to protect classified and security sensitive information during civil and criminal court proceedings.

An issues paper on the Commission’s review of the Crown Proceedings Act 1950, released in April 2014, identified some difficulties applying the law in relation to the use of classified and security sensitive information in civil court proceedings.

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