Printed from https://fyi.org.nz/request/31228-te-pae-oranga-iwi-community-panels-mandatory-referrals on July 24, 2025 16:57

Te Pae Oranga (Iwi Community Panels) - Mandatory referrals

Jay Citizen made this Official Information request to New Zealand Police

The request was successful.

From: Jay Citizen

Dear New Zealand Police,

I request the following information pursuant to the Official Information Act regarding Te Pae Oranga (also know as the Iwi Community Panel programme):

1. Does New Zealand Police have a policy (nationally or in any district) which dictates that for certain offences, a police officer may not charge the individual for the offence, but must instead refer the offender to Te Pae Oranga?

2. If so, provide this policy (including, but not limited to, the list of offences that require mandatory referral).

3. Notwithstanding any mandatory policy, do police officers retain any residual discretion to charge an offender with an offence captured by the policy (for instance, in the case of a recidivist offender, or other aggregating factor)? If so, please provide any guidance provided to Police staff on this point.

4. Does New Zealand Police seek the views of victims before an offence is referred to Te Pae Oranga (whether through mandatory referral or otherwise)?

5. Any advice New Zealand Police has received (legal or otherwise) about whether a mandatory referral policy risks abdicating or fettering prosecutorial discretion?

Yours faithfully,

Jay Citizen

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From: Ministerial Services
New Zealand Police

Tēnā koe Jay

I acknowledge receipt of your Official Information Act 1982 request below, received by Police on 6 June 2025.

Your reference number is IR-01-25-20918.

You can expect a response to your request on or before 7 July 2025 unless an extension is needed.

Ngā mihi
McCoy
Ministerial Services
Police National Headquarters

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From: Ministerial Services
New Zealand Police

Kia ora

I refer to your request below. I have been asked to advise you that Police requires an extension of time in which to respond to your request, pursuant to section 15A(1) of the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). Specifically, section 15A(1)(b), consultations necessary to make a decision on the request are such that a proper response to the request cannot reasonably be made within the original time limit.

Police requires until 21 July 2025 to provide a substantive response to your request, however we are endeavouring to provide this to you as soon as possible.

You have the right, under section 28(3) of the OIA, to make a complaint to an Ombudsman about this extension. Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.

Kind regards, Michelle
Advisor – Police National Headquarters

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From: Ministerial Services
New Zealand Police

Attachment OIA Response IR 01 25 20918.pdf
3.0M Download View as HTML

Tēnā koe Jay

 

Please find attached the response and documentation relating to your
Official Information Act request, received by Police on 6 June 2025.

 

Ngā mihi

Lisa

Ministerial Services

Police National Headquarters

 

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