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Asked by Rawiri Waititi · Member for Waiariki · Te Pāti Māori
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Showing 1 to 15 of 15 written question sets.

Answered

Question 25836 (2026)

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Asked by

Rawiri Waititi

Member for Waiariki · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Does the Department rely on psychological risk assessments that are expressly conditional on allegations being true, and if so, how is the reliability of those underlying allegations assessed?

Answered by

Hon Mark Mitchell

Member for Whangaparāoa · National Party · Minister of Corrections

Answer

I am advised that psychological risk assessment reports prepared by Corrections’ psychologists relate to individuals who have been convicted. In forming their risk opinions, psychologists may consider a range of information beyond the…

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Question 25839 (2026)

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Asked by

Rawiri Waititi

Member for Waiariki · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Does the Parole Board have any safeguards to ensure that any untested allegations are not unfairly relied on in situations where a complainant or paroled offender is unable to attend a recall hearing for a paroled offender, if so, what are…

Answered by

Hon Mark Mitchell

Member for Whangaparāoa · National Party · Minister of Corrections

Answer

I am advised that as required by the Parole Act 2002, every person subject to a recall application is given the opportunity to either appear before the New Zealand Parole Board (Parole Board) to state their case, or to make written…

Answered

24958, 24983 (2026)

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Asked by

Rawiri Waititi

Member for Waiariki · Te Pāti Māori

Questions

  • 24958 (matches this search)

    How many, if any, recall decisions were later found to be unsupported or based on incorrect information?

  • 24983 (matches this search)

    What steps, if any, does the Parole Board take to ensure that a person subject to recall proceedings is given a full and fair opportunity to respond to allegations before a decision is made?

Answered by

Hon Mark Mitchell

Member for Whangaparāoa · National Party · Minister of Corrections

Answer

As Minister of Corrections, I am not responsible for decisions made by the New Zealand Parole Board, which is an independent statutory body. This is also my response to WPQ 24983 (2026).

Answered

Question 24959 (2026)

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Asked by

Rawiri Waititi

Member for Waiariki · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Has the Department conducted any review of the accuracy or evidential basis of recall decisions made from the year 2000 to now (2026)?

Answered by

Hon Mark Mitchell

Member for Whangaparāoa · National Party · Minister of Corrections

Answer

Corrections is not responsible for decisions made by the New Zealand Parole Board, which is an independent statutory body.

Answered

Question 24960 (2026)

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Asked by

Rawiri Waititi

Member for Waiariki · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What processes, if any, does the Department of Corrections follow in assessing prior recall decisions when deciding whether to apply for an extended supervision order?

Answered by

Hon Mark Mitchell

Member for Whangaparāoa · National Party · Minister of Corrections

Answer

Extended Supervision Order applications are initiated by Corrections through the courts and must be supported by risk assessments, psychological health assessments and evidence that the statutory criteria is met. Corrections considers a…

Answered

Question 24961 (2026)

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Asked by

Rawiri Waititi

Member for Waiariki · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What safeguards, if any, exist to ensure that information provided to the Parole Board is accurate and complete to support recall hearings?

Answered by

Hon Mark Mitchell

Member for Whangaparāoa · National Party · Minister of Corrections

Answer

I am advised that Corrections has processes in place to support the accuracy and completeness of information provided to the New Zealand Parole Board. These include: • preparing reports using structured templates and guidance • reviewing…

Answered

Question 24966 (2026)

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Asked by

Rawiri Waititi

Member for Waiariki · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How does the Parole Board decide when to schedule or progress Parole Board hearings, and what notice, if any, must be given to affected individuals before a hearing date is set?

Answered by

Hon Mark Mitchell

Member for Whangaparāoa · National Party · Minister of Corrections

Answer

The Parole Act 2002 determines when most hearings must take place, depending on the type of hearing. There is no legislative requirement determining the notice period a person must be given of an upcoming parole hearing.

Answered

Question 24968 (2026)

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Asked by

Rawiri Waititi

Member for Waiariki · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Has the Department identified any issues with missing or incomplete historical files relating to psychological assessments or recall decisions of a paroled offender?

Answered by

Hon Mark Mitchell

Member for Whangaparāoa · National Party · Minister of Corrections

Answer

I am assured, and it is my expectation, that Corrections maintains relevant records, including psychological assessments and recall decisions, in accordance with its record-keeping obligations.

Answered

Question 24971 (2026)

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Asked by

Rawiri Waititi

Member for Waiariki · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Is the Department of Corrections or the Parole Board required to disclose all material relevant to recall decisions to the affected individual?

Answered by

Hon Mark Mitchell

Member for Whangaparāoa · National Party · Minister of Corrections

Answer

Section 13(1) of the Parole Act 2002 requires the New Zealand Parole Board to provide an individual with the information it relies on in making decisions. However, information may be withheld in certain circumstances: • section 13(3): A…

Answered

Question 24973 (2026)

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Asked by

Rawiri Waititi

Member for Waiariki · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What steps, if any, are taken if key evidential documents relied upon in recall proceedings cannot later be located?

Answered by

Hon Mark Mitchell

Member for Whangaparāoa · National Party · Minister of Corrections

Answer

I am advised that if key documents relied upon in recall proceedings cannot later be located, Corrections will take steps to: • attempt to locate the original documents • check alternative systems or sources for copies • explain the…

Answered

Question 24976 (2026)

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Asked by

Rawiri Waititi

Member for Waiariki · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    If the Department of Corrections applies to the Parole Board to have a paroled offender recalled after receiving an allegation against that offender, does the Department have to retain any records relating to the recall application?

Answered by

Hon Mark Mitchell

Member for Whangaparāoa · National Party · Minister of Corrections

Answer

Corrections manage records in accordance with public sector record-keeping requirements and retention schedules. The New Zealand Parole Board administrative support team within Corrections also keeps records of all recall applications and…

Answered

Question 24980 (2026)

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Asked by

Rawiri Waititi

Member for Waiariki · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Does the Parole Board or the Department of Corrections seek a psychologist conducted risk assessment of a paroled offender who is subject to a recall hearing or an extended supervision application, and if so, what information, if any, is…

Answered by

Hon Mark Mitchell

Member for Whangaparāoa · National Party · Minister of Corrections

Answer

I am advised that Corrections or the New Zealand Parole Board may request a psychological risk assessment to inform a recall hearing. For an extended supervision order application, this must always be accompanied by a health assessment…

Answered

Question 24982 (2026)

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Asked by

Rawiri Waititi

Member for Waiariki · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Does the Department of Corrections have a process to ensure that any witnesses appearing in recall hearing for a paroled offender are able to attend and give evidence, if so, what is this process?

Answered by

Hon Mark Mitchell

Member for Whangaparāoa · National Party · Minister of Corrections

Answer

If witnesses are required to attend and give evidence, the New Zealand Parole Board would notify the applicant and/or the respondent and request they produce the required witnesses at the recall hearing. Section 118A of the Parole Act…

Answered

24987, 24990 (2026)

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Asked by

Rawiri Waititi

Member for Waiariki · Te Pāti Māori

Questions

  • 24987 (matches this search)

    How often, if ever, has the Department of Corrections sought or obtained a recall of a paroled offender in circumstances where the Police have not laid any further criminal charges, or have withdrawn criminal charges in relation to any…

  • 24990 (matches this search)

    Does the Department of Corrections rely on unsigned police job sheets or unverified complaint summaries when making decisions to seek recall of a paroled offender?

Answered by

Hon Mark Mitchell

Member for Whangaparāoa · National Party · Minister of Corrections

Answer

This information requested by the member is not centrally located and cannot be obtained without significant manual collation and review of numerous documents. I am not prepared to request that of my officials for the purposes of…

Answered

Question 24991 (2026)

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Asked by

Rawiri Waititi

Member for Waiariki · Te Pāti Māori

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Does the Department of Corrections ever rely on independent allegations made by third parties when applying to the Parole Board to have a paroled offender recalled, if so, does the Department verify these allegations and what steps are…

Answered by

Hon Mark Mitchell

Member for Whangaparāoa · National Party · Minister of Corrections

Answer

I am advised that Corrections may consider third party allegations when assessing risk or compliance. However, staff will assess the source, ensure corroboration and consistency with other information, and the seriousness of the risk.…