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Wāhine Māori overrepresented in the criminal justice system

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Justice

Headline: Wāhine Māori overrepresented in the criminal justice system

MEDIA RELEASE

24 February 2026

Māori women are disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system, and this increases the further they progress through the system, a new factsheet from the Ministry of Justice shows.

Analysis in the factsheet, Reducing the disproportionality of Māori in the criminal justice system: wāhine Māori [PDF, 337 KB], published today, focuses on how the justice system is experienced by Māori women.

“While wāhine Māori make up 15 percent of women in Aotearoa New Zealand, they continue to be disproportionately represented at every stage of the criminal justice system,” says Rebecca Parish, the Ministry of Justice’s General Manager, Sector Insights.

“Our research shows that wāhine Māori are disproportionately represented at every point of the  justice system, with a higher proportion (compared to the overall population of women) coming through courts, being remanded in custody and sentenced to imprisonment.”

The analysis shows that the disproportionality increases as wāhine Māori move through the system. Wāhine Māori made up 44 percent of all women who were proceeded against by police, 49 percent of women entering court, 66 percent of women remanded in custody, and 71 percent of women sentenced to imprisonment.

The factsheet provides early visibility on the work to understand where disproportionality – the over-representation of one group in relation to others – occurs and where change is likely to have the most impact.

While some of the disproportionality can be explained by factors such as seriousness and history of offending, a proportion remains unexplained, particularly at later stages in the system.

This indicates that the system’s response to wāhine Māori contributes to some of this disproportionality. Discretionary decisions made within the justice system, and therefore within the system’s control, contribute to this unexplained proportion.

Reducing disproportionality of Māori in the criminal justice system overall is a priority strategic goal for the Ministry. Wāhine Māori are the focus of the first stage of this work, with the justice sector exploring options to improve information provided to decision makers across the system, for system’s responses to be well informed and aligned to the needs and circumstances of wāhine Māori.

“This is partly because ensuring equitable outcomes for wāhine Māori have broader positive impacts on whānau and communities, including improved youth outcomes and reduced pressure on other government support systems,” Ms Parish says.

“Ongoing analysis will help us monitor the impact of this work, and how best to continue addressing the disproportionality of wāhine Māori in the criminal justice system.”

Key Findings:

In the year to June 2025, wāhine Māori made up 15 percent of women in Aotearoa New Zealand, yet they represent:

  • 44 percent of women who were proceeded against by Police
  • 49 percent of women who entered court
  • 66 percent of women who were remanded in custody
  • 71 percent of women who were sentenced to imprisonment.

END

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Proposed changes aim to better target dolphin protection efforts

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  02 March 2026

Public consultation runs from 2–30 March 2026 following a review by DOC and Ngā Hapū o Pēwhairangi Marine Mammal Protection Advisory Committee Rōpū on the effectiveness of the current Sanctuary rules at protecting marine mammals, and how they could work better.

“We always intended to observe, learn and adapt when we created the Sanctuary in 2021,” says DOC Regional Director, Sue Reed-Thomas. “Now we have new science and monitoring data to guide us. This proposal is about refining our approach so our effort is focused where it will make the greatest difference for dolphins.”

The Sanctuary rules regulate how humans out naturing on the water interact with marine mammals, particularly bottlenose dolphins, to protect them from harmful disturbances.

The current rules are:

  • People must keep out of the water within 300 m of all marine mammals (dolphins, whales, seals)
  • Vessels must maintain a 300 m distance from all marine mammals and stop if the person in charge becomes aware of any marine mammal closer than 300 m. Vessels must remain stopped until any marine mammal is more than 300 m away; and
  • Vessels must observe a 5-knot speed limit in two marine mammal safe zones.

Recent surveys and scientific studies found dolphins in the Sanctuary were rarely present in the two safe zones. High-use areas are largely outside the safe zones but still within the Sanctuary. This suggests DOC focusing its efforts on other management measures will be a more effective way to support the recovery of dolphin populations. 

The work also concluded that, except for commercial operators holding a marine mammal permit, compliance with the Sanctuary management measures is mixed, recording high levels of non-compliance with speed restrictions by powered vessels in the two safe zones.

“Removing the safe zones would allow us to focus protection where dolphins actually are – targeting education, compliance and enforcement around the measures that matter most,” says Sue.

“This is about smarter protection, informed by science and experience.”

DOC and Ngā Hapū o Pēwhairangi Marine Mammal Protection Advisory Committee Rōpū recommended the Minister of Conservation begin a statutory process to propose removing the safe zones, while maintaining the other management measures. The Minister has agreed to initiate the process. 

“Together, we can take meaningful steps to ensure these taonga species are protected for generations to come,” says Kipa Munro, Chair of Ngā Hapū o Pēwhairangi Marine Mammal Protection Advisory Committee Rōpū.

“Our Rōpū members have played an important role in safeguarding our taonga utilising methods and kōrero that have also been passed down from our tūpuna.” 

Public consultation begins on Monday, 2 March 2026 and will run for 28 days, concluding midnight Monday, 30 March. 

Submissions will be collated and presented to the Minister of Conservation to inform his decisions on the proposals.  

Have your say on the proposed amendment to Te Pēwhairangi (Bay of Islands) Marine Mammal Sanctuary rules.

Background information

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz

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Coronial inquiry into death of 10-month-old Manurewa infant Poseidyn Hemopo-Pickering gets underway

Source: Radio New Zealand

A coronial inquiry into the death of a 10-month-old Manurewa infant is underway in Auckland. 123rf.com

A coronial inquiry into the death of 10-month-old Manurewa infant Poseidyn Hemopo-Pickering is underway in Auckland.

Poseidyn was rushed to Middlemore Hospital and later moved to Starship Children’s Hospital on the evening of 5 September, 2020, after he was found unresponsive at his South Auckland home.

He died hours later.

In the Auckland Coroner’s Court on Monday, Coroner Tracey Fitzgibbon acknowledged the inquiry followed a criminal trial in 2022 where the infant’s father, Anthony Simon Pickering, was acquitted of murdering his son.

“This coronial inquiry was put on hold until the completion of a criminal trial. This can make it very challenging for witnesses and whānau, and I encourage everyone to be mindful of this as we progress through the next few days.”

She said the inquiry was to determine how Hemopo-Pickering died and the circumstances leading up to his death.

“I’m not here to determine civil, criminal, or disciplinary liability.”

Fitzgibbon invited Poseidyn ‘s mother Filoi Huakau to reflect on her son’s life.

“He was gentle, he was soft, he was pure,” Huakau said.

“He’d do this little chuckle at every silly face and noise I made, and had an unforgettable smile that was so contagious and something I choose to cherish every day.

“At just 10 months of age I could feel the love he’d have to give if given the chance to.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Officer accused of kidnapping ex-wife avoids disciplinary action, keeps job

Source: Radio New Zealand

The IPCA released a summary of a police investigation into the officer, overseen by the authority, on Monday (file photo). hamilton, auckland, station, office, precinct, municipal, new zealand, nz, sign, building, editorial, symbol, logo, city, street

The police watchdog has criticised police for not disciplining an officer who allegedly kidnapped his ex-wife.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) released a summary of a police investigation into the officer, overseen by the authority, on Monday.

The investigation centred on allegations the officer possessed child exploitation material and committed family harm against both his ex-wife and ex-partner.

“The police investigation found there was insufficient evidence to substantiate the allegation that the officer was ever in possession of objectionable material. Additionally, the investigation determined that there was insufficient evidence to charge the officer with assaulting his ex-partner.

“However, the investigation did find that there was sufficient evidence to charge the officer with kidnapping, assaulting and threatening his ex-wife.”

  • Do you know more? Email sam.sherwood@rnz.co.nz

    • The incidents occurred over several years while they were married, the IPCA said.

    “The kidnapping related to an occasion in 2015 in which the officer prevented his ex-wife from leaving her bedroom. Police ultimately decided to charge the officer with a threatening act, due to any potential assault charge being time-barred.”

    The IPCA agreed with the police’s decision to charge the officer, but said it “expected disciplinary proceedings to follow”.

    “The officer appeared in court and later completed diversion for the charge. Following the proceedings, police indicated that they would not continue with an employment process for the officer, essentially because the incidents occurred before he became a police officer.

    “We disagreed with police, confirming with them that the kidnapping occurred while the officer was in fact employed by police and that he also acknowledged a criminal offence through the diversion process at the same time.”

    The authority said the officer met with the “employment decisionmaker” to respond to the concerns raised.

    “During the meeting, police concluded that the officer’s actions did not warrant any disciplinary action. The process was formally concluded without the Authority being given an opportunity to comment on the outcome.

    “The Authority subsequently expressed concern to police about the outcome, but acknowledges that ultimately, that is a matter for police as the employer.”

    Assistant Commissioner Tusha Penny said in a statement to RNZ the matter was investigated by police’s National Integrity Unit, independently of the officer’s district.

    “Investigators found no evidence to support the claim of possession of child exploitation material.

    “With regards to the allegations of family harm, the matter was put before police’s Criminal Charging Advisory Panel, and on their recommendation the officer was subsequently charged with a threatening act. He completed diversion for the charge.”

    District staff also sought advice around conducting an employment investigation.

    “The advice received was that because the officer was not employed at the time of the offending, police could not carry out an investigation.

    “A senior member of staff instead had an expectation-setting meeting with the officer.”

    The officer remained employed by police.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Bringing X-rays and ultrasounds closer to home in Wānaka

Source: New Zealand Government

From today, more people in Wānaka will be able to access routine diagnostic imaging closer to home, with publicly funded X-ray and ultrasound services now available locally, Health Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey say.

“Until now, patients in Wānaka who were referred by their GP or primary care provider for a funded X-ray or ultrasound have not been able to receive those services locally,” Mr Brown says.

“That has meant travelling outside of Wānaka for routine diagnostic tests, adding time, cost, and stress for patients and their families.

“From today, GPs and other primary care providers can refer patients for funded imaging right here in Wānaka. This will help people access the tests they need more quickly and begin treatment sooner.”

The new service is expected to provide around 1400 X-rays and 1500 ultrasounds over the next 18 months, significantly expanding access to essential diagnostic testing across the region.

“This expansion has been delivered through outsourcing arrangements that increase local capacity and make better use of available services, ensuring patients can receive timely diagnosis and treatment closer to home.”

Mr Doocey says the new service directly responds to feedback gathered during last year’s 13 Rural Health Roadshows.

“At the Wānaka roadshow, the community made it clear that access to diagnostic tests was a major barrier to care,” Mr Doocey says.

“We’ve listened to that feedback and taken practical action. This is about delivering real improvements that rural communities can see and feel.

“People living in Central Otago deserve timely, quality healthcare close to home. Changes like this reduce unnecessary travel and ensure patients can access reliable services in their own community.

“Where you live shouldn’t determine how quickly you can access the care you need. We are focused on practical solutions that strengthen rural health services and improve access for New Zealanders across the country.”

Note to editors:

  • Patients must be referred through the existing Community Referred Radiology Programme.
  • Urgent imaging will continue to be provided at Dunstan Hospital in Clyde.
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Strong winds disrupt Cook Strait passenger services

Source: Radio New Zealand

Bluebridge and Interislander in Picton Marlborough sounds RNZ/ Rachel Thomas

Two BlueBridge ferry sailings have been cancelled for passengers due to rough conditions in the Cook Strait.

MetService forecast southerly swells of up to 4m with winds reaching just over 80 km/h.

Strong winds are expected to continue through Tuesday.

BlueBridge sailings from Wellington at 1.30pm on Monday and from Picton at 2pm were affected.

The ferry company was looking to rebook affected customers or add them to standby lists on later sailings. Availability was limited due to “peak season demand”.

KiwiRail was not expecting to cancel is Interislander ferry sailings but some could be delayed.

“While sea conditions may make it a little bumpy at times, cancellations are not expected. The weather conditions are resulting in some delays in departure as we take additional required steps to ensure vehicles are securely loaded for the conditions,” a spokesperson said. Interislander would closely monitor conditions.

No formal weather watches or warnings were in place for the region, MetService’s website showed.

“A southerly flow covers the North Island on Tuesday, while a large high in the Tasman Sea extends over the South Island, its severe weather outlooks said, noting a “strong or gale southeasterly flow” for the offshore Chatham Islands.

Meanwhile, ferry services connecting Eastbourne and Wellington City had been cancelled at least 10am Monday because of the conditions.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Split Enz have reunited – two more shows for NZ

Source: Radio New Zealand

Now the seminal Kiwi band – which includes celebrated song-writing siblings Tim and Neil Finn as well as Eddie Rayner and Noel Crombie – have announced shows for Auckland and Wellington.

The will play at TSB Arena, Wellington on Wednesday, 6 May, followed by Spark Arena in Auckland on Saturday, 9 May.

Formed in New Zealand in 1972 before relocating to Australia three years later, Split Enz last live concert in New Zealand was in 2008.

Presale tickets will go on sale from 3 March with general release on 5 March at noon.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Should third party vehicle insurance be compulsory? Why the costs could outweigh the benefits

Source: Radio New Zealand

123RF

Supporters of compulsory third-party vehicle insurance argue that it will prevent innocent drivers from facing hefty repair bills they can’t afford.

However, recent comments from the transport minister suggest that such a change wouldn’t be happening anytime soon.

Chris Bishop told interest.co.nz that the mandatory third-party vehicle insurance wasn’t considered by the government as part of changes to the driver licensing system.

He also said the gains were not necessarily as high as everyone else thought, given the huge number of New Zealanders already had vehicle insurance.

Automobile Association road safety spokesperson Dylan Thomsen said making third-party insurance compulsory was complicated.

He told Nine to Noon it needed very careful consideration as it could add extra costs to both parties.

“When you have something like this, it has the potential to push premiums up for everybody to try and get that coverage,” Thomsen said.

“The last survey that was done in New Zealand looking at this, and it was quite some time ago, we had about 92 percent of drivers having insurance.

“To try and get to 100 percent, probably impossible because even the countries that have compulsory insurance haven’t achieved that.”

Thomsen said an important consideration was the cost of enforcing third-party insurance.

Some of the European countries were getting close to around 98 percent, but there was a catch, he said.

“They have spent a lot in terms of enforcement. They have to have a lot invested in databases that can link up,” Thomsen said.

“Most of the ones that have got that high have camera networks looking at license plates quite extensively. “

Thomsen said just like car registrations or warrant of fitness, while both mandatory, you will never get to 100 percent.

He acknowledged how frustrating it could be to get compensation after a crash with an uninsured driver.

But he said the key question was whether a compulsory system would actually provide more benefits than the costs.

“We don’t think the case has been made for that yet. We would like to see more updated information because most people already have insurance,” Thomsen said.

“We know warrant of fitness, car registrations, those are both mandatory and compulsory and we know not everybody has those. So, we’re never going to be able to get to 100%.

“How much better could it be? I think more information is needed.”

Thomsen also stressed that New Zealand did have a form of compulsory insurance through ACC, which covered the costs of injuries.

He said while Australia had compulsory third-party insurance, it was only for injuries, which was the same as ACC here.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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The Detail: Net fishing is in, then out again as National Party does a backflip

Source: Radio New Zealand

A ring net fishing boat in Northland. Seafood NZ 

National has announced that, if re-elected, it would ban ring-net fishing in some areas of the Hauraki Gulf, but the policy they’ve promised to reverse was their own

The battle has been long – fish versus fishing.

Now, the fight over the future of the Hauraki Gulf has erupted again, this time over politics, promises and what policy critics call a backflip.

Nine months out from the election, the National Party has pledged to ban the controversial practice of ring-netting in 12 high protection zones and to review rules around bottom trawling corridors. Currently, two high-protection zones can be accessed by five commercial fishers.

Announced by conservation minister Tama Potaka, the new policy pushes against a decision his own government made last year and comes as a “confusing” blow to Seafood New Zealand.

“The health of our oceans and the sustainability of our fisheries resources are absolutely critical to us,” Seafood New Zealand chief executive Lisa Futschek tells ‘The Detail’. “Without that, we don’t have businesses, we don’t create jobs and we don’t supply healthy protein to Kiwis,

“We work really hard on these credentials, but the policy reversal… I really do question whether it is about sustainability.”

She says the five fishers allowed to fish in the two high-protection areas “run small family businesses, they have been fishing in the area for decades, it’s really low impact, they have small boats… and their nets are hand set and hauled”.

“It’s hard to argue this is a sustainability measure,” Futschek says. “It’s really unfortunate, because these ring-net fishers were caught in what are now high-protection areas, lines were drawn, their operations weren’t considered and it really is unfair.”

“The exceptions that the government made were just transitions for these guys, so they could adapt their businesses and prepare for some time in the future, when those exceptions were no longer allowed.

“The fact that the National caucus has decided to roll those back early – or certainly they are electioneering on that promise – is really confusing to us, because it isn’t about sustainability and we would like to understand what it is really about.”

Newsroom senior business journalist Andrew Bevin, who is covering the story, tells ‘The Detail’ the policy backflip is a surprise move by the National Party.

“It’s not often you see someone campaigning to undo their own decision as an election policy,” says Bevin, whose story ran under the headline ‘Fisheries emerges as unlikely election battleground’.

“To come out with a fisheries policy nine months before the election tells you that this is something we are going to have a real discussion about this year.”

He says National has opted to campaign for this new policy, because the current situation is “just so unpopular”.

“It’s become a poster child of what has been seen as an anti-environmental agenda from the coalition and this perceived favouring of industry over fishing rights for the public – recreational fishermen, who are cut out of these high protection areas.”

Environmental groups, scientists and recreational fishers have long been vocal that the Gulf is under pressure like never before.

They point to declining biodiversity, stressed fish stocks and seabeds scarred by trawling, but Futschek argues that commercial fishers are being unfairly painted as ocean villains when, in their view, they’re among the most regulated fishers in the world.

“To say that the commercial fishing industry is responsible for the decline in biodiversity and ecosystems in the Gulf is simply wrong,” she says. “Putting the blame at our feet is completely unfair and I reject that.”

She says quotas, monitoring and strict rules already govern what they can catch – and further bans could cripple businesses, coastal jobs and food supply chains.

She believes the current setup works.

“New Zealand can be hugely proud of a quota-management system that has seen our stocks revive, has seen us fishing sustainably, has seen us the envy of the world, really, in terms of the way we manage our fishery.”

She says the seafood industry is adapting – trialling new gear, reducing seabed impact, investing in sustainability – but trust, she admits, is harder to rebuild than a fish stock.

That may be the real battle here. Not just fish versus fishing – but credibility versus suspicion.

Check out how to listen to and follow The Detail here.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

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Tyres slashed on three ambulances during Manukau break-in

Source: Radio New Zealand

St John district operations manager Andy Everiss said the action was highly disrespectful. RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Police are searching for a group of people who slashed the tyres of ambulances in South Auckland this weekend.

They said the offenders broke into a gated yard at Hato Hone St John’s Manukau Station on Saturday night, puncturing five tyres across three ambulances.

“These are destructive actions, and consequences of actions such as this can put people’s lives at risk,” Senior Sergeant Roelof Burger said.

“As the vehicles are inoperable for a period of time, this impacts St John’s ability to respond to those who are in need of medical attention within our community.”

But St John district operations manager Andy Everiss said the action was highly disrespectful.

“Thankfully, this incident did not severely impact our emergency ambulance response, and we remain available to respond in an emergency,” he said.

Police are seeking CCTV or dashcam footage from the nearby Plunket Ave and Wiri Station Road to help identify the people responsible.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand