Law and Order and Responsibilities Hui

Ladies and Gentlemen. Good afternoon. Thank you for inviting me to speak at this hui today. First, I would like to acknowledge President Thuraisundaram of the Auckland Regional Ethnic Council, my Parliamentary colleagues and representatives of the New Zealand Police.

I acknowledge those who spoke of their experiences at the hands of thieves and robbers. The maintenance of law and order is a key Police responsibility but it is a responsibility which needs strong and continuing community support.

I would like to take this opportunity to tell you about this government's law and order agenda.

In Opposition, we set an ambitious programme for our first 100 days. Nearly one-third of these policies were in the Justice portfolio, and all required legislation to be introduced. I'm pleased to say that we've achieved those goals.

These policies have largely focused on improving the response to crime, including:
•  Giving police the power to issue on-the-spot protection orders to help protect victims of domestic violence.
•  Directing the courts to take specific account of the fact that the victim is a child when sentencing.
•  Tightening up on bail for borderline cases.
•  Limiting parole for serious repeat violent offenders and the worst murderers.
•  Increasing penalties for participation in organised crime, and making it easier for police to intercept gang communications.
•  Expanding DNA collection from suspects, and matching against samples from unsolved crimes.
•  Requiring offenders to pay into a fund to help victims with costs that are not available through other means.
•  And bolstering the Youth Court with a range of new interventions and sentences.

Our Government values the contribution that all communities can make to the decision making process and we would like to hear your voices loud and clear as the outstanding Bills make their way through the Select Committee process.

We recognise and welcome the increasing diversity of New Zealand society and it is useful to reflect for a moment on the make-up of the Auckland population.

As you know, Auckland is the most ethnically diverse region in New Zealand (56 percent are European, 19 percent Asian, 14 percent Pacific and 11 percent Maori) and more than one third of people (37 percent) were born overseas.

It is important that our policies reflect the needs and concerns of all the communities of interest in our society.

I would also like to tell you about some of the initiatives in which the government is working alongside local authorities and community partners to make our communities safer.

One of these initiatives is the Stop Tagging our Place (STOP) strategy which aims to reduce graffiti vandalism in our communities.

The strategy, which was launched in September last year, brings central and local government, communities organisations and utility companies together in preventing and managing graffiti vandalism and enforcing appropriate penalties.

The success of initiatives such as these can only be achieved through effective partnerships of agencies and community groups.

Another new initiative which combines the efforts of central government with local councils is called CARPARK+ Safer Parking. A pilot was launched in October 2008 and it will run for 18 months in three locations - Auckland, Waitakere and Hutt City.

The programme is being led by the Ministry of Justice's Crime Prevention Unit along with the Auckland, Waitakere and Hutt City Councils and the New Zealand Police.

Carpark+ aims to provide guidance to owners, operators and developers of new and existing parking facilities on how to establish and maintain a safe and secure parking environment.

By following this guidance and implementing safety measures - car park facilities can become certified. This in turn will encourage safe public use, restrict opportunities for crime and reduce the occurrence of accidents.

These are just two initiatives which show how central and local government can work alongside local agencies to improve community safety.

I am also pleased to let you know that the Government has secured funding to ensure the immediate future of New Zealand's 27 community law centres.

My door is always open to hear your views.
These are important services which are even more vital in difficult economic times. We are committed to ensuring that everyone, not just a privileged few who can afford it, has access to justice.
Finally, our government is keen to work with you and local agencies to make our communities safer. Please make sure that we hear your voice!

I wish you all the best for the remainder of your hui. Thank you.