On this page you’ll find documents that have been published under the Government’s policy requiring Ministers to proactively release Cabinet papers and related material.

The policy applies to papers lodged for consideration by Cabinet from 1 January 2019 onwards. Cabinet papers and minutes must be proactively published within 30 business days of final decisions being taken by Cabinet, unless there’s a good reason not to publish them (whether in part or in full), or to delay the release. The policy doesn’t apply to Cabinet papers concerning the appointment of individuals to statutory and other roles.

We publish the papers for the Ministers we support – the Minister of Justice, Minister for Courts, the Associate Ministers of Justice, and some papers relating to the Attorney-General.

For more information on the policy see:

CO (23) 4 - Proactive Release of Cabinet Material: Updated Requirements

Topic All Justice Sector Directorate Te Au Reka Family Criminal record check Lawyers & service providers Legal aid Māori-Crown Relations Policy Cabinet and related material Corporate Courts Research & data Tribunals Bill of Rights Act advice

Category All

Search by keywords

Year if known Select a year 2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991

1. Proactive release of Cabinet papers and minutes relating to supporting the delivery of the 2020 election due to the change of election date and COVID-19 [PDF, 2.1 MB]

   Documents related to supporting the delivery of the 2020 election due to the change of election date and Covid-19. This pack includes Cabinet papers and Minutes relating to the Electoral Amendment Regulations (No 3) 2020, Electoral Amendment regulations (No 4) 2020, the Electoral Main Rolls Closing Order (No 2) 2020, additional funding to support the delivery of the 2020 General Election and referendums due to the change of election date, and agreement to the application of appropriate COVID-19 …

2. Proactive release - Budapest Convention on Cybercrime [PDF, 1.2 MB]

   The following Cabinet paper and related Cabinet Minutes have been prepared for proactive release by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC), on behalf of Hon Dr David Clark, Minister for the Digital Economy and Communications, and the Ministry of Justice, on behalf of Hon Kris Faafoi, Minister of Justice.

3. Summary of submissions: New Zealand accession to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime [PDF, 248 KB]

   Summary of submissions on the July 2020 consultation paper.

4. Proactive release – Process for developing a national strategy for eliminating family violence and sexual violence with Interim Te Rōpū [PDF, 814 KB]

   Cabinet paper regarding the process to develop a consultation draft of the national strategy for eliminating family violence and sexual violence that gives effect to the Māori/Crown relationship.

5. Proactive release - COVID-19: Arbitrating Commercial Lease Disputes [PDF, 266 KB]

   A Cabinet paper and minute outlining a package of measures to support commercial tenants and landlords to come to agreements to adjust the terms of their leases.

6. Proactive release - Supporting the delivery of the 2020 Election in a Covid-19 environment (Cabinet paper)

   A Cabinet paper that seeks additional funding for the Electoral Commission, to ensure the safe delivery of the 2020 Election and referendums.

7. Proactive release - Electoral Amendment Regulations (No 2) 2020 (Cabinet minute)

   A Cabinet minute outlining decisions to change the Electoral Amendment Regulations 1996 to allow the delivery of the 2020 Election in a COVID-19 environment.

8. Proactive release - Electoral Amendment Regulations (No 2) 2020 (Cabinet paper)

   A Cabinet paper recommending changes to the Electoral Amendment Regulations 1996 to allow the delivery of the 2020 Election and referendums in a COVID-19 environment.

9. Proactive release - Supporting the Delivery of the 2020 Election in a Covid-19 Environment (Cabinet minute)

   A Cabinet minute that outlines approval for additional funding for the Electoral Commission to ensure the safe delivery of the 2020 Election and referendums.

10. Proactive release - Restoration and modernisation of Ministry of Justice properties [PDF, 18 MB]

    This paper provides a 10-year infrastructure investment plan to restore and modernise buildings across the Ministry of Justice’s property portfolio.

11. Proactive release - Report on overseas travel Sri Lanka and Australia November 2019 [PDF, 2.6 MB]

    Report from the Minister of Justice on overseas travel to Sri Lanka and Australia, from 3 – 9 November 2019.

12. Proactive release - New Compensation Guidelines for Wrongful Conviction and Imprisonment [PDF, 756 KB]

    This paper seeks Cabinet's approval of new Compensation Guidelines to govern consideration of ex gratia compensation payments to persons who are wrongly convicted and imprisoned to replace the Guidelines adopted in 1998.

13. Proactive release - Electoral (Registration of Sentenced Prisoners) Amendment Bill (No 2) [PDF, 1.4 MB]

    Documents related to the policy development of the Electoral (Registration of Sentenced Prisoners) Amendment Bill (No 2).

14. Proactive release - Electoral (Registration of Sentenced Prisoners) Amendment Bill Supplementary Order Paper [PDF, 1.4 MB]

    Documents related to the policy development of the Electoral (Registration of Sentenced Prisoners) Amendment Bill supplementary order paper.

15. Proactive release - Amendments to the District Court Rules 2014 and High Courts Rules 2016 [PDF, 597 KB]

    This paper sought Cabinet approval for the District Court (Contempt of Court) Amendment Rules 2020, High Court (Contempt of Court) Amendment Rules 2020, which replaces the rules for the District Court and High Court respectively. The changes under the High Court Amendment Rules 2020 reflect modifications suggested by the registry or the legal profession for cases not provided for or where the application of the High Court Rules have proven impractical. The District Court (Contempt of Court) Amen…

16. Proactive-release - Jury Amendment Rules 2020 [PDF, 872 KB]

    Cabinet material relating to minor and technical amendments to the Jury Rules 1990, principally to enable jury trials to operate in compliance with physical distancing requirements arising from quarantinable diseases such as COVID-19.

17. Proactive Release - Electoral Amendment Regulations 2020 [PDF, 679 KB]

    On 8 April 2019 Cabinet approved amendments to the Electoral Regulations 1996. Cabinet agreed to amend the Electoral Regulations 1996 to specify the deadline by which postal vote applications must be made, allow the Electoral Commission to process overseas, dictation and postal votes centrally, extend the deadline for the return of overseas postal votes and enable the Electoral Commission the ability to provide emergency special voting services in the event of a localised civil emergency in New …

18. Proactive release - Strengthening the Family Court [PDF, 1.9 MB]

    This paper sought Cabinet approval to a package of legislative proposals to strengthen the Family Court in care of children matters. The proposals ensure that families and whānau are well supported in care of children proceedings by providing for early legal advice and information, enhancement of children’s participation, and for lawyers’ duties to be expanded.

19. Proactive release - Order in Council: Electoral Main Rolls Closing Order 2020 [PDF, 604 KB]

    This paper seeks Cabinet’s agreement to authorise the submission to the Executive Council of the Electoral Main Rolls Closing Order 2020.

20. Proactive release - Orders in Council: Electoral (Expenditure Limit) Order 2020 [PDF, 641 KB]

    The Electoral (Expenditure Limit) Order adjusts certain electoral expenditure limits to reflect movement in the Consumers Price Index All Groups (‘the CPI’). The Act requires that certain electoral expenditure limits are adjusted annually to account for inflation and this must be done by an Order in Council coming into force on 1 July each year.

21. Proactive release - Immediate modification orders for justice-related legislation under the Epidemic Preparedness Act 2006 [PDF, 665 KB]

    A Cabinet paper that seeks authorisation for an immediate modification order under the Epidemic Preparedness Act 2006 to modify how enduring powers of attorney can be made.

22. Proactive release - Family Court (Emergency) Amendment Rules

    A briefing on potential amendments to the Family Court Rules 2002 to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

23. Proactive release - Family Court (Emergency) Amendment Rules 2020

    An aide memoire regarding details of the proposed amendments for the Family Court Rules 2002.

24. Proactive release - Family Court (Emergency) Amendment Rules 2020

    A Cabinet paper seeking approval for amendments to the Family Court Rules to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

25. Proactive release - Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 and issues related to the COVID-19 response

    A briefing that provides an overview of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 licensing regime and discusses matters that have been raised in the context of the COVID-19 response.