47
New Zealand Government Sector Directory
| September 2012
Our work spans criminal and civil
justice. We provide advice on the
law, the constitution, democratic
and human rights and negotiate
Treaty of Waitangi settlements for
the Crown.
Our responsibilities
Most of our frontline service delivery
involves operating the New Zealand
court system. We create a court
environment where disputes and
offences can be resolved, while
maintaining the court system’s
integrity and the judiciary’s
independence. We administer and
support the progression of cases in
the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal,
High Court, District Courts, specialist
courts and a range of tribunals and
authorities. We ensure that courts
are safe, and implement policy and
legislative changes in the court
system.
We maintain the credibility of
monetary penalties by enforcing
and collecting court-imposed fines,
infringements and reparations.
We provide advice on the country’s
constitutional arrangements and
ensure they reflect the views of New
Zealanders.
We contribute to the safety of New
Zealand communities by looking
at ways to reduce crime and
victimisation.
We provide advice on developing
and reforming legislation to ensure
laws and sanctions deter potential
offenders and hold offenders to
account.
We support the Crown and iwi
in settling historical Treaty of
Waitangi claims. We provide claims
management, research, report
writing and inquiry support to
the Waitangi Tribunal. We oversee
implementation of settlements and
preserve the value of properties in
the Crown ‘landbank’, until they are
required in a settlement.
We work with Crown entities that
help maintain people’s rights, such
as the Human Rights Commission,
and that provide checks and
balances on the exercising of public
power, such as the Independent
Police Conduct Authority. We
monitor and report to Ministers on
the performance of these Crown
entities.
We are also responsible for
administering legal aid and
employing salaried criminal lawyers
to take on criminal legal aid cases
through the Public Defence Service.
Our sector outcomes
The ultimate outcome for the
justice sector is a safe and just
society, where the rights, interests
and obligations of individuals and
communities are protected so they
can contribute, engage, and prosper.
The justice agencies – the Ministry
of Justice, New Zealand Police,
Department of Corrections, Ministry
of Social Development (for youth
justice matters), the Crown Law
Office and Serious Fraud Office –
have developed shared outcomes
that guide their work. The eight
justice sector outcomes are:
•
•
crime is reduced
•
•
the impact of crime is reduced
•
•
offenders are held to account
•
•
the justice system is trusted
•
•
justice services are accessible
•
•
the justice system is
internationally
•
•
connected durable settlement of
Treaty of Waitangi claims
•
•
constitutional arrangements are
effective.
This recognises that, particularly in
the criminal justice sector, there is
a ‘pipeline’ – a strong relationship
between policing activities, the
court process and prison and
rehabilitation services.
Our objectives and way of working
also reflects the connection
between many justice and social
issues – to achieve our sector
outcomes we need connected,
coordinated responses.
Departmental expenditure and
appropriations 2010/11
:
$487.606
million;
2011/12
:
$541.648 million
(
budgeted).
This includes:
•
•
Vote Justice, which funds
advice that is used to ensure
that the justice system retains
its integrity and remains
responsive to the needs of New
Zealanders, the work of the
Ministry to lead the Justice sector,
and the management of the
parliamentary electoral system.
•
•
Vote Courts, which funds the
infrastructure supporting the
work done by courts, such as the
buildings, services and systems.
Vote Courts also provides for
the enforcement of punishment
through the collection of fines
and civil debt services.
•
•
Vote Treaty Negotiations, which
provides the support and advice
required for the Government to
negotiate and address Treaty of
Waitangi issues and historical
Treaty claims. The Vote covers the
advice and services needed to
complete the Treaty process and
managing the property used to
settle claims.
•
•
Christchurch recovery.
Non-departmental expenses and
appropriations 2010/11
:
$905.772
million;
2011/12:
$985.800 million
(
budgeted).
This includes:
•
•
payments to third parties such
as crown entities and others (for
example, the Law Commission)
•
•
judiciary ordered costs
(
for example, Family Court
Counselling and Professional
Services)
•
•
judges’ salaries
•
•
multi-year appropriations relating
to Treaty of Waitangi settlements.
•
•
OTS land stock and plant
purchases
