New Zealanders are warned of scam text messages currently circulating that claim to be from the Ministry of Justice about overdue traffic fines. The Ministry does not include any links in our texts. Read more about Texts from Ministry of Justice
The Government has introduced a new stalking and harassment offence to ensure the harm that victims experience is recognised and prosecuted effectively.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
We are reforming firearms law and regulation to provide for greater protection of public safety and simplify regulatory requirements to improve compliance.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
