Te Aka Kōrero
News from Te Aka Matua o te Ture | Law Commission

Welcome

Welcome to this May 2024 edition of Te Aka Kōrero. It’s been another busy period for Commissioners and staff at Te Aka Matua o te Ture | Law Commission.

We're delighted to announce the launch of our revamped website — featuring a sleek new look, simpler navigation and more powerful search. We’ve worked hard to make discovering and providing feedback about our work a much better experience.

If you have any feedback about the website or our new look, let us know.

Highlights

He Poutama well-received

Our study paper He Poutama is a hit! We are immensely proud of this work that provides information, principles and practical tools about the engagement between tikanga and the law. It’s received a warm reception from legal practitioners and government agencies.

Third Review of Evidence Act published

In March, we published our Third Review of the Evidence Act 2006. We found the legislation is mostly working well in practice but there are some areas that warrant reform. Among others, we made recommendations to reform the hearsay rule and the improperly obtained evidence rule. Our recommendations respond to emerging issues in evidence law and will help to ensure the Act is fit for purpose in the future.

Seeking feedback on review of adult decision-making capacity

In April, we kicked off our second round of consultation in our review of the law relating to adult decision-making capacity. We’re looking at specific areas of the current law in more detail and seeking feedback on possible options for reform. Our Second Issues Paper sits alongside four shorter Key Topic documents to help guide feedback. Submissions are due by 21 June. Visit the website to submit online or download a submission form.

Our work programme

Ia Tangata | A Review of the Protections in the Human Rights Act for people who are transgender, people who are non-binary and people with innate variations of sex characteristics

Keep an eye out — we are hard at work finalising an initial issues paper that will be published in June. Sign up for updates

Hapori Whānui me te Tangata Mōrea Nui: he Arotake o te Mauhere Ārai hē me ngā Ōta nō Muri Whakawhiu | Public Safety and Serious Offenders: a Review of Preventive Detention and Post-Sentence Orders

In July, we will publish a Preferred Approach Paper setting out specific proposals for reform. After receiving feedback on these proposals we will submit final recommendations to the Government. Sign up for updates

Review of hate crime, an update

Recently, Paul Goldsmith, Minister Responsible for the Law Commission, wrote to the Commission with an update to our work programme. The Minister has requested that our review of hate crime focus on considering whether the law should be changed to create standalone hate crime offences as recommended by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attack on Christchurch masjidain. Initial preparation and planning is underway to complete this work.