202
As the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (“WGAD”) acknowledged, it is
important to address those underlying risk factors which increase the likelihood of
exposure to the criminal justice system. The WGAD stated:111
the search needs to continue for creative and integrated solutions to the root causes
which lead to disproportionate incarceration rates of the Māori population.
203
Over the last three years, as a result of the Drivers of Crime initiative – a whole of
Government approach to reduce offending and victimisation – the number of young
Māori appearing in court has reduced by 30%.112 Building on the Drivers of Crime
initiative, the Government launched the Youth Crime Action Plan (“YCAP”) in
October 2013. This plan aims to reduce youth crime and recidivism. An updated
work programme for the YCAP is currently being developed by the Ministry of
Justice.
204
In addition, a recent crime and crash prevention strategy, The Turning of the Tide,113
sets targets for reduced Māori offending, repeat offending and apprehensions. The
Turning of the Tide approach is based on collecting detailed data showing where bias
is occurring; developing relationships and partnerships with iwi; and a shared
understanding of the data and co-development of solutions.
205
It has proved successful with Phase 1 of Turning of the Tide resulting in the following
outcomes:
Target - end of Phase I, June 2015
A 5% decrease in the proportion of first-time
offenders who are Māori
Actual - end of Phase I, June 2015
No change for youth or adults
- 28% of first-time youth offenders
- 44% of first-time adult offenders are Māori.
A 10% decrease in the proportion of repeat youth
and adult offenders who are Māori
7.3% increase in the proportion of repeat youth and adult offenders who are Māori.
- 59% of repeat youth offenders
- 44% of repeat adult offenders are Māori.
A 10% decrease in the proportion of repeat victims
who are Māori
A 15% reduction in Police (non-traffic)
apprehensions of Māori resolved by prosecution
4.8% decrease in the proportion of repeat youth victims who are Māori
3.8% increase in the proportion of repeat adult victims who are Māori.
41% reduction in Police (non-traffic) apprehensions of Māori youth
111
Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, Mission to New Zealand, A/HRC/30/36/Add.2 (6 July 2015).
Minister of Justice, Opening remarks to the UN Human Rights Council, January 2014.
113
http://www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/resources/the-turning-of-the-tide-strategy.pdf
112
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Human Rights Commission submission to the Human Rights Committee in relation to New Zealand’s 6th periodic review under the ICCPR