APPENDIX TWO
CURRENT WORK PROGRAMME
Review of Customs Powers of Forfeiture & Seizure
This project is reviewing the forfeiture provisions under Part XIV of the Customs
and Excise Act 1996, having regard to any analogous border control practices in
comparable jurisdictions. Publication planned for October 2005.
Maori Legal Entities
This project is seeking to develop a new legal framework that would, if
implemented, be available to Mäori groups wishing to incorporate for the purpose
of managing communally-owned assets and giving effect to communal rights and
responsibilities on behalf of the members of the group. Publication planned for
early 2006.
Entry, Search and Seizure
This project is reviewing the scope and adequacy of current powers to search
(persons, places and vehicles) and to seize relevant items. It also considers the
search and seizure of computer data, interception of communications, tracking and
visual and audio surveillance. It is seeking an appropriate balance between law
enforcement powers and the protection of individual rights in relation to all such
powers. Publication planned for April 2006.
Access to Court Records
This project is reviewing existing rules providing access to Court records and
developing principles to govern access to Court and Tribunal records, the
retention and archiving of records. It is considering the appropriateness of a single
code providing rules for all jurisdictions. Publication planned for April 2006.
Custom and Human Rights in the Pacific
This project explores the interaction between custom and human rights in the
Pacific, including New Zealand, by articulating some of the issues arising from
this interaction and how the two can inform each other. Publication planned for
May 2006.
Criminal Defences (Insanity & Partial Defences)
This project is undertaking further work on the defences of provocation and
diminished responsibility, following the Commission's earlier report Some
Criminal Defences with Particular Reference to Battered Defendants (NZLC
R73). It is also reviewing the defences of insanity and infanticide. First
publication planned for April 2006.