Source: New Zealand Government
Kia ora koutou,
Thank you for the opportunity to be here today in my relatively new role as Associate Justice Minister.
I understand the 2021 AGM and conference was affected by COVID-19, and the 2022 conference was conducted over Zoom, so I certainly hope you are enjoying the chance to meet in person.
I would like to thank you for your efforts over the past couple of years during the COVID-19 pandemic.
I also want to acknowledge the devastation caused by Cyclone Gabrielle and the earlier floods in a large part of the North Island, from Northland to the Hawke’s Bay.
We have seen terrible damage caused to those communities, but also those same communities coming together to support each other and find a way forward.
I am pleased to have responsibility for matters relating to Justices of the Peace as part of my delegated responsibilities.
This a chance to work closely with a group of people who serve their communities with distinction every day.
I am in the process of learning about my responsibilities as Associate Minister of Justice, so this is a timely opportunity.
By way of a brief introduction if I may.
I was born in Whangamomona, in the backblocks of Taranaki, to a farming family.
I’ve always had a hunger for ideas, and this eventually led me to university to study philosophy.
The theory I studied while there recognises a crucial fact about human beings – one that comes to us from as far back as Aristotle: human beings are social animals, living in the fabric of communities.
We need to find ways for people to live their own life as they choose, while at the same time understanding that we do this collectively, together.
The significance of the service you provide to your communities cannot be understated.
JPs continue to serve the public and provide easy access to services at the community level. Our communities and society are the better for it.
The significance of the services you provide for the community was underlined by some recent reporting I received.
For example:
- In the 2022 calendar year, Judicial JPs presided over 34,349 district court criminal events which equates to 5.3 percent of all criminal events scheduled for that year.
- In the 2020/2021 financial year 776,942 documents were handled by JPs.
- In 2021/2022 268,345 documents were handled – with this figure reflecting the community lockdowns in response to COVID-19.
While being briefed for my new role I was impressed by the variety of ways you help people access justice.
The government has made access to justice one of the cornerstones for the justice portfolio, and I know it is also a priority for the Minister of Justice.
I know the large majority of you provide declaration and signature witnessing services. But there is so much more
Other roles that directly provide access to justice are JPs as Issuing Officers, where you can consider applications for search warrants and protection orders from prosecuting agencies.
Judicial JPs also preside over hearings in the District Court helping free up judges’ time.
And JPs as Visiting Justices play an important role in presiding over disciplinary hearings held at Correctional facilities.
The ability to adapt in a fast developing world is key to maintaining access to justice, especially as we look to assist the digital generation coming through, who are more familiar with an Ipad rather than a paper and pen.
During COVID-19, the need to process documents using non-contact processes presented some challenges but also showed the possibly of using online processes.
I’d like to acknowledge the role of the Federation in supplying further training and development to Justices of the Peace, to help them serve their communities effectively.
I also note that RFNZJA continues to strive towards improving the diversity within the JP membership.
The number of female JP nominations since 2018 is at 748, compared to 564 male JP nominations.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been getting to grips with some of the complexities and issues around the work of Justices of the Peace in Aotearoa.
For example, accreditation is an important step, introduced by the Federation to ensure that appropriate standards of services are maintained, and that JPs are able to stay current with the information they need to provide service to their communities.
I know the Federation has previously raised concerns around the lack of ongoing training and development requirements for JPs.
I am considering the matter but understand that to implement a requirement for JPs to maintain appropriate levels of knowledge and training would require legislative change, so there is a level of complexity there.
I am interested in hearing your views on this matter and other issues in person while I am here.
On behalf of the Justice Minister, the Honourable Kiri Allan, and Minister for Courts Rino Tirikatene once again, thank you.
I wish you all the best for a successful annual conference.
Thank you.
