Restorative Justice Centre Aotearoa

Professor Ian Shirley Pro Vice Chancellor (Research) and Director of the Institute of Public Policy of the Auckland University of Technology, Minister of Justice, Hon Mark Burton; New Zealand Police Commissioner, Howard Broad; Members of the Judiciary, distinguished guests.

I greet you in the languages of the realm of New Zealand. 

Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni

I am delighted to be here today to open the Restorative Justice Centre Aotearoa.

The opening on today's date marks the passage of a concept initially seen as radical into one that may well form an integral part of New Zealand's legal system in the future.

This establishment of this Centre demonstrates a commitment, from many parts of New Zealand society, to the principles of Restorative Justice. In my preparation for this task my attention was drawn to a contemporary theologian who wrote "Justice is the ability to discover connections and to live by them".

As a former District Court Judge, I feel as though I played some small part in its passage.

The  Triennial District Court Judge's National Conference in 1994 had as one its focuses the question of whether - and how - principles of Restorative Justice could be applied to adults.

Even then, just 12 years ago, Restorative Justice was perceived by a number as a somewhat too radical an alternative to the traditional adversarial court system. That we are here today shows just how far the thinking - and the practice - has developed.

A paper delivered by my respected friend and colleague Judge Fred McElrea at the Conference proposed introducing Restorative Justice to adults, rather than in youth situations alone. It was widely noted and gave the idea legal and academic momentum.

The concept was subsequently picked up by Government and matters developed at an official level.

That 1994 Conference can be said to have marked the beginning of increased official interest in Restorative Justice. I am advised that there has been since then a series of action at Government level to explore the principles and how best to apply them in a New Zealand context.

Simultaneously, the matter progressed informally through the District Courts.

The Sentencing Act 2002 saw Restorative Justice provisions enshrined in legislation for adult offenders. It was a watershed and, I believe, a positive development for all New Zealanders.

One of the greatest strengths of Restorative Justice is that it can accommodate a broad range of diversity. It is not aligned to one particular culture, at the exclusion of others.

It is flexible enough to allow for alternative meeting places, particular protocols and other religious requirements, where appropriate.

Perhaps this is where New Zealand will most benefit from Restorative Justice. In an increasingly diverse country, it becomes important to avoid  'one-size-fits-all' solutions.

Recognising this diversity is all the more important when we are dealing with human conflict, as with matters of offending.

Restorative Justice seeks to take into consideration the particular circumstances of each case. Even more than that, it places people at the centre of the process.

It increases the offender's involvement in dealing with their offending, and it gives the victim and the victim's family a real possibility of reconciliation and healing.

In doing so, it aims to find a just resolution to the crime which benefits all parties. In this way, it very positively augments our existing justice system, without compromising its basic principles of fairness and responsibility.

In light of the progress of Restorative Justice, through formal and less formal channels, a great deal of thought on the subject has emerged.

Much of this has come about in a manner consistent with the principles of Restorative Justice. Simply put, many parts of New Zealand society have had the opportunity to be part of the thinking.

Contributions have come from within the Judiciary, Government and non-Government sectors, academia and many other agencies involved in our social systems.

In this spirit, the Restorative Justice Centre is being launched today. Its modus operandi takes its lead from the many groups who have had an interest in the development of Restorative Justice.

The Centre will be devoted to the robust analysis of Restorative Justice and how best it can be applied in the New Zealand setting.

It will provide a framework for an even more indepth analysis of what makes this principle work, what are the challenges for its use here and, ultimately, how its application can benefit all New Zealanders.

I applaud the efforts of those who have helped bring this Centre to fruition and I look forward to following its work.  I close with a challenge by returning to the quotation of conceiving justice as "the ability to discover connections and to live by them".

I am delighted to now pronounce the Restorative Justice Centre Aotearoa New Zealand open.

Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa