First published by the Ministry of Justice in 2004, updated 2011. This version published August 2017.
Updated Issue 2, August 2019

Update: This document updated August 2019. Check the information for service providers webpage for updates.The Restorative justice service is currently under review by MoJ, follow the link for updates.

Update: Restorative justice: Practice standards for family violence cases (issue 2, August 2019) (#7249) relate to this framework published in 2017.

In 2004 the Ministry of Justice published Restorative Justice Best Practice in New Zealand (#2911), updated in 2011 (#5084). This included the Ministry’s ‘Principles of Best Practice’ and the restorative justice providers’ ‘Statement of Restorative Justice Values’. The document noted that ‘the use of restorative justice processes in cases of family violence and sexual violence must be very carefully considered’.

In 2013, Restorative Justice Standards for Family Violence Cases (#5609) and Restorative Justice Standards for Sexual Offending Cases (#5610) were developed that recognised the additional safeguards and processes needed when dealing with family and sexual violence.

Now, in 2017, the Restorative Justice Best Practice Framework (‘the framework’) is the whakataukī, values, principles and standards articulated here. The framework builds on the documents published in 2004 and 2013, updated to reflect changes in policy and practice. The framework is supported by training and accreditation of facilitators, and the contractual relationship between the Ministry of Justice and restorative justice providers. (From the document). For more information about restorative justice in New Zealand, follow the website link. Record #5611.

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