Kei te tūrama arotahi
In the spotlight
Law Commission publishes final report in review of preventive detention and post-sentence orders
We have published our final report to complete our review of preventive detention, extended supervision orders and public protection orders.
We have concluded that a significant overhaul of the law is required to better manage high-risk offenders safely and more humanely. We make 149 recommendations for reform.
Ngā mahi o te wā
Current work
Hara ngākau kino
Hate crime
Te Aka Matua o te Ture | Law Commission is reviewing the law relating to hate crime. The review is considering whether there are problems with the current law and, if so, how to make the law better. This could include creating new hate crime offences, as was recommended by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attack on Christchurch masjidain (Muslim places of worship) on 15 March 2019.
Visit projectIa Tangata
A review of the protections in the Human Rights Act 1993 for people who are transgender, people who are non-binary and people with innate variations of sex characteristics
Te Aka Matua o te Ture | Law Commission is examining the protections in the Human Rights Act 1993 for people who are transgender, people who are non-binary and people with innate variations of sex characteristics.
Visit projectHe arotake i te ture mō ngā huarahi whakatau a ngā pakeke
Review of adult decision-making capacity law
Te Aka Matua o te Ture | Law Commission is reviewing how the law should respond when an adult’s decision-making is affected.
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Improving the law since 1987
We have undertaken over 150 law reform projects on a broad range of topics, all aimed at improving the law of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Our work has impact
Most of our reports are implemented either in whole or substantial part. Our publications are cited in parliament, the courts, the news and legal writing, sometimes decades after they are published.
We are independent
Our independence allows us to approach each law reform project with an open mind and to conduct thorough, fair reviews.
Te ao Māori in our work
We take te ao Māori and Māori perspectives into account in our work.
Making the law easier to access and to understand
We play a key role in improving the structure of and access to the legislation of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Our leadership has mana
Respected judges, legal practitioners and academics bring their experience and expertise to law reform as our Commissioners.
Ā mātou kawerongo
Our news
Published: 28 April 2025
Law Commission to undertake review of the Criminal Procedure (Mentally Impaired Persons) Act 2003
Our news
Published: 4 April 2025
Law Commission recommends new legislation for managing high-risk offenders
Our news
Related project:
Public safety and serious offenders: A review of preventive detention and post-sentence orders