Safer Communities’ Project Turnaround Restorative Justice Programme

To Your Worship Janie Annear, Mayer of Timaru,  to Vivienne Wood, Project Turnaround Manager and the staff and volunteers,  greetings, kia ora, kia orana, fakalofa lahi atu, taloha ni.  These are the languages of the Realm of New Zealand. 

Thank you for the opportunity to talk to you this morning about the prevention of re-offending and meeting victims’ needs, and also about the importance of volunteering.

As the wife of the Governor-General (whose background includes being a lawyer, a judge and immediately preceding his current role, an ombudsman), I see the varied work being done by volunteers which highlights to me the significance of voluntary  work in our society and the need for us to value our volunteers.

The latest figures available from Statistics NZ, show that New Zealanders’ unpaid work for non-profit organisations was valued at $3.3 billion in the year ended March 2004.  This still shows that this country certainly benefits from the people who give their time and effort to things they believe worthwhile and I believe that our communities should continue to encourage volunteering as younger generations age and take their place as leaders.

Since Project Turnaround’s establishment in Timaru in 1996 when it was selected to be one of the Crime Prevention Unit’s three pilots, it is now well established as having a demonstrably positive effect in this community.

Project Turnaround has dealt with around 1,200 cases with almost all reaching agreement and approximately 9 out of 10 offenders have completed their plans.  After  checks have been made one year after the programme, 84% have not re-offended within the year.  I commend all involved in this worthwhile programme and the measured success.

These outcomes would not be possible without both the small team of paid staff, and the pool of volunteers that donate their time and energy.  The volunteers make up the community panel that carries out such a vital role in the process of restorative justice.

Congratulations and thanks to everyone that has contributed to the success of Project Turnaround.  The time and energy you have given to this initiative has played a part in shaping your community for the better.

Winston Churchill once said,  “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.”

No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa, which broadly means I wish you courage to realise your dreams.