Orakei Marae acknowledges Restorative Justice Week

Orakei Marae one of the largest Restorative Justice providers in Auckland welcomes this week of acknowledgement, innovation and celebration in the world of Restorative Justice.

Aotearoa is well known as a country to be leading in restorative justice and practices, from the inception of the ground breaking Children You g Persons and their Families Act 1989, to the recent Sentencing Amendment Act 2014. This legislation has supported the flax roots movement of restorative justice that has been driven by much small diverse community based organisations over the years and has now flourished into the accepted mainstream approach to justice applied throughout the country.

We also know that restorative justice is a tool or mechanism to support the opportunity for healing of harm or hurt that has occurred.

Our organisation has been a product of the consistent search by individuals and communities to give a voice to the victims of crime in a manner that is safe, meaningful and respectful. The impact of this opportunity in addressing offenders of crime has greatly enhanced victim participation in the justice system and provided in many cases the right place and time for the victim to have their say, and most importantly be heard by those who have caused them harm.

Restorative justice conferences enable the offenders to meet with the victims who are no longer a name on the Summary of Facts; they are a person, someone that is real, and someone that has family, friends and a life to live. The opportunity for family and friends to be active participants in the restorative justice process is a strength of our system and is extremely well received by those who have been able to participate in the process.

Over the past year Orakei Marae or KMOT has received over 1000 referrals and has had the ability to engage with most of these referrals to work through the issues that have been brought to the attention of the Ministry.

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