We lead and are involved in a wide range of initiatives to reduce crime, keep people safe and modernise the justice system.

Past projects are archived here.

  • Addressing stalking

    The Government has introduced a new stalking and harassment offence to ensure the harm that victims experience is recognised and prosecuted effectively.

  • Enhancing the Privacy Act

    The Government is changing the Privacy Act 2020 (the Act) to improve transparency about the collection of personal information and to better enable people to exercise their privacy rights.

  • Cybercrime

    The Government has changed the law to better respond to the international threat of cybercrime and to enable New Zealand's accession to the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime (also known as the Budapest Convention). 

  • Countering foreign interference

    The Government has changed the Crimes Act 1961 to support efforts to counter foreign interference and espionage activities that undermine New Zealand's national interests.

  • Anti-money laundering & countering financing of terrorism

    We are leading work to enhance New Zealand's anti-money laundering and countering financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) framework.

  • Long-Term Insights Briefing

    Long-term Insights Briefings are department ‘think pieces’ that draw on insights and evidence to explore future trends, challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand. The Ministry’s latest briefing on the future of courts and justice services was tabled in Parliament in December 2025.

  • Legal aid scheme review

    The Government has decided to review New Zealand’s legal aid system, which is government funding to pay for legal assistance for people who cannot afford a lawyer.

  • Targeted reform of the international adoption system

    The Government has suspended the recognition of unsafe international adoptions to protect children and young people from potential harm.

  • Reduced violent crime

    In 2024, the Government set nine targets to improve the lives of New Zealanders. The Ministry of Justice is the lead agency for Government Target 4 – Reduced Violent Crime. The target aims to reduce the annual number of victims by 20,000 people, so that by December 2029 no more than 165,000 New Zealanders fall victim to assault, robbery, or sexual assault.

  • Actions to combat methamphetamine

    The Government is taking a series of actions to address the harm by the consumption of methamphetamine.

  • Three strikes law

    The Government has reinstated the Three Strikes sentencing law.

  • Gang legislation

    The Government enacted the Gangs Act 2024 to respond to the operation of gangs in New Zealand.

  • Firearms reform

    We are reforming firearms law and regulation to provide for greater protection of public safety and simplify regulatory requirements to improve compliance.

  • Improving alcohol regulation

    The Government is changing alcohol laws to make alcohol licensing more practical with the aim of maintaining public safety.

  • New private statutory adjudication process for civil disputes

    Between 7 August and 19 September 2025, the Ministry of Justice sought public feedback on its proposal for a new statutory adjudication framework. This framework would give businesses a fast-track way to resolve civil disputes quickly and privately, as an alternative to filing a claim in court or going to arbitration.

  • Disputes Tribunal jurisdiction

    The Government has passed legislation to double the financial jurisdiction of the Disputes Tribunal to improve access to justice.

  • Te Au Reka

    In a major new initiative, the Ministry of Justice and the judiciary are setting out to modernise the way we support the functions of our courts and tribunals.

  • Te Ao Mārama

    Te Ao Mārama is a judicially led kaupapa that will improve the experience for all people who participate in the court system, including victims and whānau. By partnering with iwi and engaging with communities, Te Ao Mārama will be designed to best serve each community’s specific needs.

  • Regulatory Systems (Justice) Amendment Bills

    The Regulatory Systems (Justice) Amendment package are four Bills that deliver on the Government’s commitments, ensure good stewardship of our regulatory systems, and provide relief and benefits to people across a wide range of sectors in New Zealand.

  • Review of Courts (Remote Participation) Act 2010

    The Ministry of Justice is undertaking a first principles review of the Courts (Remote Participation) Act 2010 and is now seeking public feedback on options for change set out in a discussion document.

  • Review of legislation including reference to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi

    The Government is undertaking a review of references to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi in legislation.

  • Improving jury trials timeliness

    As part of its law and order commitments, the Government is working to increase timeliness and reduce delays in the courts, including for jury trials.

  • Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Court

    The AODT Court aims to deliver better outcomes and experiences for court participants with alcohol and other drug substance use disorders, victims, whānau and the wider community.

  • Addressing family violence and sexual violence

    We're part of a cross-government work programme related to family violence and sexual violence that aims to ensure victims are safer, improve services, and change long-standing behaviours and attitudes.

  • Cross-government initiatives

    Find out about some of the plans and programmes involving multiple government agencies that we play a role in.

  • National Action Plan Against Racism

    We are leading the creation of New Zealand’s first ever national action plan against racism.

  • Better Outcomes for Victims Work programme

    The Better Outcomes for Victims work programme is a three-year government initiative to improve victims’ experience of the justice system in key areas identified by victims and victims’ advocates. Announced in April 2023, the programme also supports the government’s longer-term work to build a more victim-focused criminal justice system overall.

  • Political lobbying

    This page describes the Ministry of Justice work on Political lobbying.

  • Criminal Process Improvement Programme (CPIP)

    Te Tāhū o te Ture, the Ministry of Justice, plays a key role in progressing the Criminal Process Improvement Programme which aims to reduce court delays and increase access to justice by making every court appearance meaningful.

  • Key initiatives archive

    This archive contains information on past projects.

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