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Restorative justice in New Zealand

Key details about development and availability of RJ in New Zealand

Courts in the New Zealand criminal justice system (for adult offenders) have considered outcomes from restorative justice processes since the mid 1990s.

Since that time, restorative justice has grown as a movement, as part of a shared government and community response to criminal offending, and in terms of availability around New Zealand.

Click Here for an overview and some key facts and figures about restorative justice in New Zealand today.

Availability of services in New Zealand

Restorative justice processes are used at various stages in the criminal justice system including:

  • before conviction
  • before sentencing
  • during the sentence.

The Ministry of Justice funds restorative justice processes before sentencing through 23 community-based provider groups throughout New Zealand.

The Ministry of Justice has contracts for the provision of restorative justice services before sentencing at the following District Courts:

Auckland 

 Hastings

Oamaru 

Timaru 

Ashburton Invercargill Palmerston North

Waihi

 Blenheim

 Kaikohe  Porirua

Waipukurau

Christchurch

Lower Hutt

Rangiora

Waitakere

Dunedin

Manukau

Rotorua

Wanganui

Gisborne

Napier

Taupo

Wellington

Greymouth

Nelson

Tauranga

Whangarei

Hamilton

New Plymouth

Thames


In addition, a number of providers deliver services to other courts on a non-contracted basis.

Restorative Justice Providers: contact one of the restorative justice providers contracted by the Ministry of Justice or find the provider delivering services to a court near you.

For more information, including information about services not funded by the Ministry, Restorative Justice Aotearoa (RJA) is the primary professional association for providers of restorative justice services in New Zealand. To access their website, click here: www.restorativejusticeaotearoa.org.nz

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