2 Organisational Overview

The Ministry provides a range of services on behalf of the Government and supports the Minister of Justice and Associate Minister of Justice, the Minister in Charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations and Associate Minister in Charge of Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, the Minister for Courts, the Minister Responsible for the Law Commission and the Attorney-General. The Minister of Justice is the lead Minister with overall responsibility for the Ministry of Justice.

2.1 Role

The Ministry is responsible for three core functions:

1. delivery of operational services including court and tribunal-related services, electoral services and negotiations for settling historical Treaty of Waitangi claims
2. provision of policy advice
3. leadership of the justice sector.

We administer these functions under three Votes: Justice; Treaty Negotiations; and Courts.

For further information on the Ministry’s responsibilities, refer to Appendix 1.

2.2 Resources

As at 30th June 2007, the Ministry employed almost 3,000 staff, equating to 2,849 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff working in over 100 different locations through out New Zealand. Staff deliver a wide variety of services ranging from court services and fines collection to policy advice, negotiation of Treaty of Waitangi claims and running the parliamentary elections.