skip to content Goto Site Search List of available accesskeys Goto Homepage - New Zealand Parole Board

Victims' Hearings

What is a victim’s hearing?

A victim’s hearing, or oral submission, is where a victim has the chance to meet with the members of the Board that will be considering the case of the offender who offended against them.  The purpose of the attended hearing is for the victim to convey to the Board the same sort of concerns that might be contained in a written submission but it also allows two-way communication.  For a victim it provides an opportunity to ensure the Board understands their point of view clearly.  For the Board there is an opportunity to put questions to the victim that might assist the Board in both its assessment of risk in an offender’s case, and in deciding appropriate release conditions where an offender might be, or in some cases must be (by law), released from prison.

All victims
All victims are entitled to request the opportunity to make an oral submission to the Board about an offender’s case.  When making such a request it is helpful to the Board if the victim can include a written submission about the information they have that would be relevant to the Board’s assessment of risk and concerns for their safety or the safety of others.  This will assist the Board in deciding whether to grant the request to make an oral submission.

Registered victims
Registered victims have a right to provide an oral submission to the Board – they do not have to ask for the Board’s approval to do so.  If you are a registered victim and would like to make an oral submission to the Board you should advise this in writing to the Board’s Administrative Support Service.  The best time to do this is when you receive the letter telling you that an offender is due to be heard (usually 2-3 months before the hearing, but sometimes less).

Making arrangements for a victim’s hearing

If you are a registered victim who wants to meet with the panel (the Board members considering the case), or are a victim who has been granted approval to meet with the Board, there are a few arrangements that need to be made. The Board’s Administrative Support Service will ask you for information so they can arrange:
  1. The venue for the hearing
  2. The date and time of the hearing
  3. Whether you would like to have any support people attend your hearing with you
  4. Whether you would like to have a lawyer attend your hearing with you
  5. Whether you would like your support people and/or lawyer to speak on your behalf, or speak in support of you
  6. Whether you will need an interpreter at your hearing.

The hearing venue

Hearings for victims normally take place at one of the Board’s offices or at a venue convenient to the victim and the Board.  Sometimes the hearing will be held at a court or at a police station.  Victims’ hearings do not normally take place at a prison.

A victim and an offender do not appear before the Board at the same time, without the agreement of both the victim and the offender, and the approval of the Board.

The date and time of the hearing

Most victims’ hearings are scheduled to take place between 1-3 days before the offender’s hearing because the Board panel needs to have the opportunity to discuss the case. The members may have travelled from different parts of the country.

Video conferencing

Sometimes it is necessary to hold victims’ hearing by way of video conference. This is where people meet at different venues around the country and speak to, listen to, and see the other people in their meeting via a large television screen.

Each of the Board’s offices (in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch) has video conference facilities.  Use of the video conference facilities saves victims and Board members unnecessary travel.  A victim may request that their hearing takes place by way of video conference – some victims have reported that they found it easier to make their oral submission in this manner.

Support people

Victims may with the Board's permission - involve a support person or support people when they meet with the panel. This could be family, whanau, friends or other supporters, such as a Victim Support worker.  Given the nature of the matters to be discussed, it is usually not appropriate for children to be involved as support people, or to accompany a victim or support people to a meeting.

Support people can be present when a victim meets with the panel. If the panel agrees, they can speak in support of the victim, or on their behalf.  If there are special circumstances a victim can request that one of their support people represents them, meaning they meet with the panel instead of the victim and pass on the victim’s views.

If you are a victim arranging to have a Board hearing and wish to involve support people, write to the Board requesting permission, advising the names of those you wish to accompany you.  When the Board has responded to your request, and the details are confirmed, tell your support people when and where you are meeting the panel.  It is your responsibility to make sure you pass on the details of the hearing venue, date and time to your support people and lawyer.

Lawyer

With the Board's permission, a victim can be represented by their lawyer at their hearing. The victim must write to the Board requesting approval before the hearing.  The costs of the lawyer attending are the victim’s responsibility.

Interpreter

A victim may arrange for an interpreter to attend the hearing and all costs are the victim’s responsibility.  All arrangements that are made for an interpreter to attend the hearing must be approved by the Board.

What happens at the hearing?

The hearing usually consists of 3 Board members (more if the case is being heard by the Extended Board), one of whom is the Panel Convenor.  The convenor will introduce the panel and invite the victim to introduce themself and their supporters, then ask them to make their submissions.  They may read from notes and may be asked questions by the Board members during and after their submission.

The Board tries to keep the hearing process fairly informal.

Sometimes there are occasions when the Board needs to impose time limits on the hearing length.

Financial help for victims attending hearings

There is a government fund to assist victims to attend parole hearings.
To apply for assistance with travel, accommodation and special expenses such as childcare contact your local Victim Support office.

Help in preparing submissions

Victim Support workers may be able to help you prepare written or oral submissions.

Is the offender told what is in an oral submission?

As an oral submission is part of the information the Board considers in making its decision, the main content of the submission is generally reported to the offender, unless the Board decides to withhold it.  Victims' address and contact details are not given.  In exceptional circumstances, where the Board has strong concerns that there could be a health or safety risk in reporting a victim’s submission to the offender, the Board may withhold that information.

The Board will complete a summary of the meeting which will be placed on the offender's file.

Contacting the Board’s Administrative Support Service

Any questions about making arrangements for an oral submission should be directed, in the first instance, to the Board’s Administrator dealing with the particular hearing.  Their contact details will be found on letters they have sent advising that an offender is due to be heard by the Board.