Jan Tinetti Labour MP

It's important to feel safe in our communities and have faith in our criminal justice system, and we know there is work to do in this area.

The government is supporting safer communities by recruiting 1800 more police officers and investing in crime prevention. Every time we prevent a crime from being committed, we save another New Zealander from being a victim.

The Safe and Effective Justice Advisory Group has been appointed to support the Hapitia te Oranga Tangata Safe and Effective Justice Programme, which the government has established to create a more effective criminal justice system and a safer New Zealand.

The advisory group is undertaking a nationwide consultation to gather information on the criminal justice system, and next week it will be Tauranga's turn to talk to them.

They want to hear from the public, and people who have experienced the system and the groups who work in it or with it every day.

The group, chaired by former Minister for Courts Chester Burrows, is independent of the government and has been tasked with finding out how the system can be improved. Mr Burrows believes this our chance to make a big difference to our criminal justice system.

The meeting will be on Monday, November 5, from 11.30am-1.30pm at Greerton Library. I would like to encourage you to come along.

If you can't make it, then you can make a submission outlining your experiences and ideas to the group via: www.safeandeffectivejustice.govt.nz

Alternatively, you can contact them directly at: te_uepu@justice.govt.nz