11 Sep 2014

Maori Party wants justice review

7:48 pm on 11 September 2014

The Maori Party is calling for a sweeping review of the justice system to address what it says is institutional racism.

Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell.

Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell. Photo: RNZ

The party's election policy says it wants to also get rid of the Independent Police Conduct Authority and establish an anti-corruption commission.

Co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell and list candidate Tame Iti launched the policy at a Victoria University student meeting this afternoon in Wellington.

Mr Flavell says a lot more Maori and Pasifika people are being apprehended, charged, convicted and imprisoned because of instituionalised racism.

If part of the next Government after the 20 September election, the Maori Party wants a review of the justice system, repeal of the three strikes legislation, and a change to the law so prisoners can vote.

The party wants Treaty clauses in every piece of legislation, Cabinet paper and regulatory statement. It also wants cultural competency training in the state sector.

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