56.
This policy commitment should be equally targeted at developing transformational
policy strategies and strengthening primary prevention initiatives that address the
underlying factors of family violence and abuse. It also requires addressing the
historical context that has led to Māori women and girls, and disabled women and
girls, disproportionately suffering from family violence and abuse.61 These disparities
were most recently evidenced in the data arising from the Fifth Report of the Family
Violence Death Review Committee which reviewed deaths between 2009-2015
caused by family violence, intimate partner violence, child abuse and neglect and
intrafamilial violence.62
57.
As noted in its report, from 2014 the Government embarked on a substantial work
programme that has resulted in legislative reform, through the introduction of the
Family and Whanau Violence Legislation Bill,63 the establishment of a Ministerial
Group to improve cross-sector collaboration64 and the development of a cross-sector
Ministerial Group workplan.65
58.
Perhaps because of the increased Government focus, since 2014 there has been an
increase in reported “dwelling based” violent crime, which is strongly correlated with
family violence.66
59.
The Commission notes that, at the time of writing, the new Labour-led Government
is yet to announce its position as regards the family violence reform agenda
introduced by the previous Government.
Child protection
60.
In 2016 and 2017, the previous Government introduced significant legislative
reforms to the child protection system.67 This included the establishment of a new
ministry, the Oranga Tamariki/ Ministry of Vulnerable Children (recently renamed
Oranga Tamariki/The Ministry of Children by the new government).68 Oranga
Tamariki has overall responsibility for the child protection system in New Zealand.
61.
The legislative reforms are largely progressive in terms of human rights impact, and
have a much deeper purposive scope when compared with the recent legislative
reforms in the family violence sector. They include provisions that explicitly reference
the rights of children under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.69 The legislation has also
introduced new obligations upon the Chief Executive of the Ministry to improve
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