Iwi Community Panels
WHAT ARE IWI COMMUNITY PANELS?
A supported resolution process for low-level offenders focusing on education, prevention and accountability. The service is provided by Nga Kete Matauranga Pounamu Charitable Trust in partnership with Police, Iwi and the wider community. An Iwi Community Panel is an inquisitive hearing with a purpose of discovering the underlying reasons for offending and determine outcomes to address these. We want to affect long-term social and behavioural change to reduce re-offending.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT ON THE DAY?
Participants appear in front of a panel of three volunteer community members, often on a marae, where a hearing takes place with a purpose of discovering the underlying reasons for offending and determine outcomes to address these. Eligible participants avoid court and conviction upon successful completion of the process.
WHO ARE THE PANEL MEMBERS?
Panel members are made up of prominent community members with a desire to create change, and who have an ability to treat all participants with respect and dignity.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Police can refer a participant to the ICP if they are aged 17 years or over, the offence carries six months’ imprisonment or less (and is not an offence related to family violence or methamphetamine use) and the participant admits guilt. Police have full discretion as to whether they choose to refer to ICP as opposed to diversion or court.
WHO PARTICIPATES IN HEARINGS?
Victims are always consulted, invited to attend and encouraged to bring whanau.
The panel of three, an observer and a police officer will be present to answer questions of law and to provide relevant information when appropriate.
WHAT ARE THE OUTCOMES?
Nga Kete is a social services hub with the ability to refer internally and externally, with aligned social worker Jessica Smith, to support ICP participants.
Outcomes are tailored to each participant and should address their reasons for offending. Education and prevention – not punishment.
Outcomes can include reparation, apology letters, community work, or an educational course i.e. defensive driving.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE HEARING?
The ICP co-ordinator will decide the timeframe the participant has to complete the tasks and will work with the participant to help them complete their outcomes.
We are required to return files as non-compliant if the participant does not complete their outcomes in the given time frame.
A supported resolution process for low-level offenders focusing on education, prevention and accountability. The service is provided by Nga Kete Matauranga Pounamu Charitable Trust in partnership with Police, Iwi and the wider community. An Iwi Community Panel is an inquisitive hearing with a purpose of discovering the underlying reasons for offending and determine outcomes to address these. We want to affect long-term social and behavioural change to reduce re-offending.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT ON THE DAY?
Participants appear in front of a panel of three volunteer community members, often on a marae, where a hearing takes place with a purpose of discovering the underlying reasons for offending and determine outcomes to address these. Eligible participants avoid court and conviction upon successful completion of the process.
WHO ARE THE PANEL MEMBERS?
Panel members are made up of prominent community members with a desire to create change, and who have an ability to treat all participants with respect and dignity.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Police can refer a participant to the ICP if they are aged 17 years or over, the offence carries six months’ imprisonment or less (and is not an offence related to family violence or methamphetamine use) and the participant admits guilt. Police have full discretion as to whether they choose to refer to ICP as opposed to diversion or court.
WHO PARTICIPATES IN HEARINGS?
Victims are always consulted, invited to attend and encouraged to bring whanau.
The panel of three, an observer and a police officer will be present to answer questions of law and to provide relevant information when appropriate.
WHAT ARE THE OUTCOMES?
Nga Kete is a social services hub with the ability to refer internally and externally, with aligned social worker Jessica Smith, to support ICP participants.
Outcomes are tailored to each participant and should address their reasons for offending. Education and prevention – not punishment.
Outcomes can include reparation, apology letters, community work, or an educational course i.e. defensive driving.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE HEARING?
The ICP co-ordinator will decide the timeframe the participant has to complete the tasks and will work with the participant to help them complete their outcomes.
We are required to return files as non-compliant if the participant does not complete their outcomes in the given time frame.
HE TANGATA DRIVER MENTOR PROGRAMME
Teina Wilmshurst, who is an endorsed driving instructor, can work with participants to obtain or re-instate (all licence stages from learners’ to full) driver licences. Teina will be present at Iwi Community Panel hearings.
Teina Wilmshurst, who is an endorsed driving instructor, can work with participants to obtain or re-instate (all licence stages from learners’ to full) driver licences. Teina will be present at Iwi Community Panel hearings.
Iwi Community Panel Service Updates
Mana Wright
Iwi Community Panels Co-ordinator
Phone: (03) 214 5260
Free Phone: 0800 925 242
E: mana.wright@kaitahu.maori.nz
Iwi Community Panels Co-ordinator
Phone: (03) 214 5260
Free Phone: 0800 925 242
E: mana.wright@kaitahu.maori.nz