There continues to be strong support for restorative justice in New Zealand, with the Ministry of Justice’s latest biennial survey showing a significant rise in satisfaction since 2023.
Restorative justice conferences are structured, face-to-face meetings. They give victims an opportunity to share the impacts caused by criminal offending, and offenders the opportunity to acknowledge the harm they caused and offer an apology. The process aims to foster accountability, promote understanding and support healing for all parties involved.
The most recent survey gathered feedback from 334 participants involved in restorative justice between January and December 2024. It revealed that 82% of victims were satisfied with the conference they attended.
The survey also found that 82% of respondents would recommend restorative justice to others, reflecting growing confidence in the process as a meaningful form of justice. Overall satisfaction with the entire restorative justice experience was even higher, with 84% of respondents expressing satisfaction. Satisfaction levels were particularly strong among participants referred due to family violence offences.
The next Restorative Justice Victim’s Satisfaction Survey is scheduled for 2027.