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History and Structure

History

The New Zealand Parole Board ("the Board") was established on 30 June 2002, under the Parole Act 2002, and replaced 17 District Prison Boards and the National Parole Board.

It is an independent statutory body, meaning it is not part of the Government, the Department of Corrections, Ministry of Justice, or Police.

Structure

The Board is made up of 20 Judges and 18 non-judicial members, and chaired by Judge David J. Carruthers.

Vacancies on the Board are advertised when new members are required. Members are appointed by the Governor General on the recommendation of the Attorney-General.

Under the Parole Act 2002, the Attorney-General must be satisfied members have:

  • knowledge or understanding of the criminal justice system; and
  • the ability to make a balanced and reasonable assessment of the risk an offender may present to the community when released from detention; and
  • the ability to operate effectively with people from a range of cultures; and
  • sensitivity to, and understanding of, the impact of crime on victims.

The Board meets in panels of three - generally two non-judicial members and a Judge as convenor - usually once each month at each of the prisons throughout New Zealand.

Every three months an extended panel of at least five Board members meets in each region to consider a number of cases involving offenders serving life sentences, preventive detention or long-term determinate sentences of more than seven years.

New Zealand Parole Board Administration Offices

The Board’s administration is based in Wellington, with two divisions; Northern and Southern.

The Northern Region administers Board hearings at Auckland Region Women's Corrections Facility, , Auckland Prison (Paremoremo), Mt Eden Regional Corrections Facility, Northland Regional Corrections Facility, Spring Hill Corrections Facility,  Waikeria Prison and Tongariro/Rangipo.

The Southern Region administers Board Hearings at Arohata, Hawke's Bay, Manawatu, New Plymouth, Rimutaka,  Wanganui, Wellington, Christchurch, Christchurch Women's, Rolleston, and Invercargill, Prisons and at Otago Corrections Facility. The Southern Region also manages the Video Conference Hearings.