NCJ Number
175006
Journal
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology Volume: 30 Issue: 2 Dated: August 1997 Pages: 149-167
Date Published
1997
Length
19 pages
Annotation
There have been a number of appeals for the implementation of a separate Maori justice system in New Zealand; this paper examines these appeals and the practicality of such a policy.
Abstract
One data source was an exploratory study of the views of more than 50 Maori elders regarding how Maori communities dealt with offenders in the recent past and how Maori justice practices might work in the modern context. Another data source was an examination of the philosophy and practice of family group conferences. There was no call by those who participated in this research for a totally separate criminal justice system for Maoris at the present time. Maori elders did not want to deal with all Maori offenders, but rather with young, first time, minor offenders, at least in the initial stages of the development of a Maori justice system. This finding supports the incremental steps already proposed by the Government and the Labour Party. This incremental step would not be difficult, since the police already divert offenders to various agencies. Further, family group conferences, which were introduced in New Zealand in 1989 to deal with young offenders, share certain features of Maori justice. These include attempting to heal the damage that has been caused by the offending and to restore harmony between those who have been affected by it. The practice of family group conferences provides a case study of the ability of the current justice system to adapt to the needs of indigenous people. 16 notes and 41 references