Government priorities for the justice sector
Delivering better public services to New Zealanders within tight financial constraints is one of the Government's core priorities for this term.
On 15 March, the Prime Minister announced that the Government is focused on ten critical result areas across the public sector. Two relate to the justice sector. These are:
- reduce the rates of total crime, youth crime, and violent crime
- reduce reoffending.
The sector is well-placed to deliver on these results. New Zealand is a safe society with a strong justice system. Crime rates are falling, demographic trends are positive, and fewer people are entering the criminal justice pipeline. Agencies are collaborating and change is underway to make service delivery more effective.
But there are challenges to overcome. The numbers of young Maori entering the criminal justice system are too high. A small number of people suffer repeat victimisation. Rates of re-offending need to be brought down.
