National Restorative Justice Symposium

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Keynotes and Special Guests

'He tangata, he tangata’: people-centred justice in New Zealand by Hayley MacKenzie

A world leader, New Zealand has entrenched restorative justice (RJ) as law in the justice system, both for young people and adults. In the youth system, groups make decisions by consensus, families and victims play integral roles, and young offenders have input into the response to their crime. In the adult system, restorative justice processes are encouraged and required to be taken into account in the sentencing and parole of offenders where these processes occur. All cases that meet certain criteria must be adjourned for consideration of whether restorative justice is appropriate prior to sentencing.

How did they get here?

Gayle Desmeules

Hayley MacKenzie will take us through the ins and outs of embedding restorative justice in New Zealand. Her keynote address will cover how restorative justice evolved in New Zealand, how the government supported RJ through legislation and funding; outcomes and challenges, other restorative-focussed courts in New Zealand and where the country is going from here.

Biography

The restorative city: working in the spaces where the circles intersect by Christopher Straker

The United Kingdom (UK) has seen a major growth of restorative practice (RP) across schools, social care, children’s services and in organizations and cities. The results have been positive, but as with restorative justice in the criminal justice setting, the picture across the country is not consistent. Christopher Straker believes that it is the job of those involved in restorative work to ensure that RJ/RP continues to develop and that this happens in a principled, value-led way that is guided by safe practice and that gives voice to the stories of individuals and communities. He asserts that a restorative organization or city must take context into account and that “It is not enough to be solely guided by good intentions... success cannot be bought off the shelf.”

Christopher Straker

Christopher Straker will illuminate the situation in the UK and beyond, share details of restorative organizations and cities, key issues and outcomes, and help us all to plan for a restorative future.

Biography