Minister of Corrections (New Zealand)

The Minister of Corrections in a minister in the New Zealand Government appointed by the Prime Minister to be in charge of the Department of Corrections. The current Minister of Corrections is Mark Mitchell.[2]

Minister of Corrections
Incumbent
Mark Mitchell
since 27 November 2023
Department of Corrections
StyleThe Honourable
Member of
Reports toPrime Minister of New Zealand
AppointerGovernor-General of New Zealand
Term lengthAt His Majesty's pleasure
Formation1996
First holderPaul East
Salary$288,900[1]
Websitewww.beehive.govt.nz

Responsibilities

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The Minister of Corrections is responsible for determining policy and exercising statutory powers and functions related to the Corrections portfolio. The Minister is also responsible to Parliament for ensuring the Department of Corrections carries out its functions properly and efficiently. Legislation related to the Corrections portfolio includes the Corrections Act 2004 (and accompanying regulations in the Corrections Regulations 2005), the Criminal Justice Act 1985, the Parole Act 2002, and the Sentencing Act 2002.

The Minister of Corrections is also responsible for:

  • Giving general directions to the Chief Executive of the Department relating to the exercise of their powers and functions.
  • Any other powers and functions conferred under the Corrections Act 2004 or regulations made under it.
  • Setting pay rates for part-time probation officers.
  • Declaring land or buildings to be a prison or community work centre.
  • Requisitioning land and buildings in an emergency.
  • Approving pay rates for working prisoners.
  • Setting the cost of imprisonment so it can be deducted from the earnings of prisoners on "release to work".
  • Consenting to the Chief Executive contracting out escort and courtroom custodial services.

List of ministers

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The following ministers have held the office of Minister of Corrections.

Key

  Labour   National   Alliance

No. Name Portrait Term of Office Prime Minister
1 Paul East   1 March 1996 8 December 1997 Bolger
2 Nick Smith   8 December 1997 1 February 1999 Shipley
3 Clem Simich   1 February 1999 10 December 1999
4 Matt Robson   10 December 1999 15 August 2002 Clark
5 Mark Gosche   15 August 2002 19 May 2003
6 Paul Swain   19 May 2003 19 October 2005
7 Damien O'Connor   19 October 2005 2 November 2007
8 Phil Goff   5 November 2007 19 November 2008
9 Judith Collins   19 November 2008 12 December 2011 Key
10 Anne Tolley   12 December 2011 8 October 2014
11 Sam Lotu-Iiga   8 October 2014 14 December 2015
(9) Judith Collins   14 December 2015 20 December 2016
12 Louise Upston   20 December 2016 26 October 2017 English
13 Kelvin Davis   26 October 2017 27 November 2023 Ardern
Hipkins
14 Mark Mitchell   27 November 2023 present Luxon

References

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  1. ^ "Parliamentary Salaries and Allowances Determination 2016" (PDF). Parliament.nz. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  2. ^ "Ministerial List". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (New Zealand). Retrieved 27 November 2023.