New Zealanders have long grappled with an obsession with criminal justice expansions, even though crime rates are on the decline. We tell ourselves: “Just another thousand police officers. Just one more prison. It’ll be fine after that. We promise we’ll stop there. They’ll be better. We won’t need any more.” Of course, the impacts of Read more
One of the strange constants of the tumultuous persecution/prosecution of Cardinal George Pell was that, no matter the latest fantastical development, the Holy See Press Office would always express its “utmost respect” for the Australian justice system. At first, this seemed like the routine lies that press offices tell. During the recent visit of the Read more
A former president of Nauru says Australia is “complicit in a political prosecution.” Nauru has abolished a decades-old link to Australia’s legal system, removing the island nation’s highest court of appeal in a move critics have described as “shocking” and “concerning” for human rights. On 12 December last year, the Nauruan government quietly informed Australia it wished to unilaterally withdraw Read more
“I often thought if a visitor from Mars came to New Zealand and looked at our care and protection system [for children], they would say there’s no sign of intelligent life on Earth – because it is a Pākeha system with Māori add-ons, sadly for a clientele – 63 per cent – who are Māori, Read more
Secondary Principals’ Association (SPANZ) executive member Patrick Walsh is concerned that injunctions and other legal threats are edging “dangerously close” to undermining the authority of the country’s principals to manage their schools. Walsh said a legal Pandora’s box had been opened after a judge forced St Bede’s College to reinstate two teen rowers dropped from Read more
Everything changed for Teina Pora after he was baptised by a fellow inmate using water from a prison laundry tub 11 years ago. He says he forgives the police who charged him with the 1992 rape and murder of Susan Burdett. Pora was convicted twice for this offence and spent 21 years in jail. In Read more
While spending a week fasting in a makeshift prison to push for penal reform, it was the dream of a curry laksa that kept the Anglican Bishop of Wellington going. Bishop Justin Duckworth emerged from the prayer vigil for prisoners and associated victims yesterday and, after delivering a sermon, headed straight to a Ghuznee St Read more
Bernard McGrath made a remand appearance on Monday in the Christchurch District Court, where defence counsel Phillip Allan said he had just filed a notice of opposition to the extradition application. Judge David Saunders remanded McGrath, 65, on continued bail. Judge Saunders was critical of the media for pursuing McGrath down the street after his last court Read more
Before and during his trial Chris Kahui was taken in and cared for by Pastor Tom and Magaret Ngapera at the at the Faith Family Baptist Centre in Panmure. “I just came to support a broken family going through hell. That’s what my job is. To show the compassion and love of Christ to someone Read more
In Papua New Guinea the Catholic Bishops’ conference has expressed concern over the conflict between the executive and judicial arms of government. The Chief Justice, who is heading a Supreme Court panel which is to decide whether the election of the prime minister is constitutional, was suspended on allegations of mismanagement, a move which triggered the arrest of Read more