Ministry of Justice Press Releases

Details of the Government’s new alcohol law reform package have been announced. The Government has responsed to the public’s concern that alcohol laws have been relaxed too much, causing alcohol-related problems within society.

Justice Minister Simon Power has announced a package of initiatives to counter New Zealand’s knife crime problem, including increased penalties, education, shared information, and limiting the sale of knives.

The annual Conviction and Sentencing statistics update has been released, covering the 2000-2009 period. Prosecution outcomes have improved while the proportion of drug and property offences has decreased, and convictions for violent crimes and traffic offences have increased.

A bill is being passed to ensure victims continue to have access to compensation awarded to prisoners.

The Government has made funding available for the rollout of audio visual links for court proceedings.

Simon Power, Minister of Justine releases information that the Government is planning on introducing a bill that will strengthen the Crimes Act to combat assault and injury offending against children.