Reduced Māori Offending
Why is this a priority?
The criminal justice system applies to all, but needs to do far better at stemming the entry of Māori people in particular, and in managing their exit. Māori are disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system. Demographic trends will see an increase in the proportion of the population in the ‘convictions-critical’ age group, particularly Māori.
- The Māori incarceration rate was 440 per 100,000 of the population in 2003, and has increased to 620 per 100,000 of the population in 2006. These rates compare with a general New Zealand population rate of 189 per 100,000 in 2006.
- Māori were more likely to be reconvicted following release from prison.
- Māori are more likely to be the victim of violent offending.
- Māori are more likely to experience the risk factors that contribute to criminal offending.
The Effective Interventions package enables the government to “stay tough, and be smarter” about crime and imprisonment. Proposals take a cross-sectoral and strategic approach to reducing crime, re-offending and imprisonment. The rate of criminal offending needs to be reduced in a manner that both prevents those at risk of becoming offenders from offending, and reduces the likelihood that existing offenders will re-offend.
How will the sector demonstrate its success?
Information on Māori offending can be drawn from convictions. Information on ten year trends in key areas are provided below.
Figure 2 - Total convictions: all categories
Figure 3 - Total convictions: violence category
The Department of Corrections Recidivism Index also provides analysis of reoffending, disaggregated by ethnicity. In addition, the Effective Interventions performance framework will assess the effectiveness of initiatives, and in particular for Māori.
