The Criminal Bar Association of New Zealand is deeply concerned about the Ministry of Justice report released on 26 February 2026, confirming that wāhine Māori are disproportionately targeted at every stage of our justice system.

“Everyone in Aotearoa deserves fair and equal treatment by the police and our courts, but this report confirms again that our system is failing to deliver for wāhine Māori,” said Annabel Cresswell, the President of the Criminal Bar Association of New Zealand.

“We have known for some time that wāhine Māori are the worlds’ most incarcerated indigenous women and that Māori are, across-the-board, disproportionately represented in the worst justice outcomes.

“The report establishes clearly that from the point of interaction with New Zealand Police, charging decisions, bail, conviction and sentencing, wāhine Māori are treated far more harshly than other women in our system. Alarmingly, up to 30% of the outcomes were noted to be ‘unexplained ’by the facts of the case, meaning the worse outcomes for this group were likely based on their race.

This data should move everyone responsible for police and justice policy to address this clear evidence of discrimination.

We know that what keeps us all safe is investment in people and communities. With the Ministry of Justice report noting that 80% of wāhine Māori currently in prison are also mothers of young children, we know that the system is harming new generations too.

It is time not only to enforce policies against discrimination in NZ Police and justice institutions, but to invest in measures that support communities, rather than criminalise and degrade them.

The CBANZ has seen from the frontlines of our justice system the harm caused by unfair, punitive, justice policies. We call on the Government to respond to this latest evidence of racial bias in our justice system with compassion and care” Ms Cresswell said.

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