New Zealand Human Rights Commission Submission to the CAT in relation to NZ’s 6th periodic review It is recommended that the Government commit to addressing the overrepresentation on Māori in the criminal justice system by both:  drawing on the approach of the Police and iwi in Turning the Tides to develop partnerships with iwi across other areas of the criminal justice system; and  stepping up its efforts to address the root causes which lead to disproportionate incarceration rates of Māori. 123. Fourteen percent of the population is Māori. The vast majority – approximately 95% do not come into contact with the justice system. However, those who do come into contact with the justice system are disproportionately represented at every stage of the process. 124. A recent report from the New Zealand Police, A review of Police and Iwi/Māori relationships: working together to reduce offending and victimisation among Māori (“Review”), confirmed that “Māori comprise 45% of arrests, 38% of convictions and over 50% of prison inmates.”60 Māori are significantly more likely than non-Māori to be reconvicted and re-imprisoned. 125. Twenty three percent of the 14 – 16 year old population is Māori.61 The number of young Māori aged 14-16 who appear in the Youth Court is 5% of the total population of 14-16 year old Māori.62 However, Māori make up 52% of apprehensions of 14 – 16 year olds,63 and 55% of Youth Court appearances. 60 64 Māori youth offenders are given http://www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/publications/review-of-police-and-iwi-maori-relationships.pdf at i. 61 Calculated using statistics for 14-16 year olds in the mean year ended 31 December 2012 from Statistics New Zealand (www.stats.govt.nz) “Māori Population Estimates: Mean Year Ended 31 Dec 1991-2012 and “Infoshare” “National Population Estimates” “Population” “Population Estimates DPE” “Estimated Resident Population by Age and Sex (1991+) (Annual-Dec).” 62 Calculated using statistics for 14-16 year olds in the mean year ended 31 December 2012 from Statistics New Zealand (www.stats.govt.nz) “Māori Population Estimates: Mean Year Ended 31 Dec 1991-2012 and Statistics New Zealand “Child and Youth Prosecution Tables” “Multiple-Offence Type Prosecution”. 63 Calculated using statistics for the mean year ended 31 December 2012 from Statistics New Zealand (www.stats.govt.nz) “New Zealand Police Recorded Crime and Apprehensions Tables” “Annual Apprehensions for the Latest Calendar Years”. 64 Calculated using statistics for the mean year ended 31 December 2012 Statistics New Zealand (www.stats.govt.nz) “Child and Youth Prosecution Tables” “Multiple-Offence Type Youth Court Order”. 50