Overview
Te Rau o te Tika: the Justice System Inquiry (Wai 3060) is a kaupapa inquiry that will hear all claims concerning grievances relating to the justice system and the administration of justice. For information about what funding is available for those who wish to participate, see the Ministry of Justice website(external link).
Inquiry progress
In April 2022 Judge Wainwright confirmed the inquiry would proceed on a staged and thematic basis.
1. Whakatika ki Runga
Whakatika ki Runga, a mini-inquiry into Crown funding of claimant participation in Waitangi Tribunal processes (including legal aid), was the first inquiry stage and is now complete. In May 2022 Judge Wainwright confirmed the questions to be addressed in Whakatika ki Runga (see Wai 3060, #2.5.9(a) for the list of questions).
The following three hearings for Whakatika Ki Runga were held between July and October 2022:
- Hearing one, from 18 to 22 July 2022, at Pātaka Art + Museum, Porirua (claimant opening submissions and claimant evidence)
- Hearing two, from 12 to 16 September 2022, at the Waitangi Tribunal offices, Wellington (primarily Crown opening submissions and evidence)
- Hearing three, from 3 to 7 October 2022, at the Waitangi Tribunal offices, Wellington (remaining evidence, and Crown and claimant closing submissions)
In February 2023 the Tribunal released its Report on Whakatika ki Runga, a Mini-Inquiry Commencing Te Rau o te Tika: The Justice System Inquiry.
In August 2023 the Crown filed a memorandum outlining the steps it had taken thus far in response to the Tribunal’s recommendations (see Wai 3060, #3.2.230, Wai 3060, #3.2.230(a) & Wai 3060, #3.2.230(b) for this memorandum and its appendices).
