Research & Resources
Knowledge is power. It is also the only resource that increases with use. We want to see the work we fund used by as many people as possible. Here we share the research and results from our grantees’ work.
Prosecuting intimate partner rape: the impact of misconceptions on complainant experience and trial process
Download the report (PDF) Prosecuting intimate partner rape: the impact of misconceptions on complainant experience and trial process Publication date: March 2023 Author: Elisabeth McDonald This is the final of three publications which describe what can be observed...
Fighting or Facilitating Family Violence? Immigration Policy and Family Violence in New Zealand
Download the report (PDF) Fighting or Facilitating Family Violence? Immigration policy and Family Violence in New Zealand Publication date: February 2023 Author: Sarah Croskery-Hewitt Many migrants are dependent on a partner’s ongoing support to secure or maintain...
Report: Fofola na ibe – Improving Pasifika Legal Education in Aotearoa Report on Talanoa Research Findings and Recommendations
Download the report (PDF) Fofola na ibe – Improving Pasifika Legal Education in Aotearoa Report on Talanoa Research Findings and Recommendations Publication date: November 2022 Authors: Mele Tupou-Vaitohi & Wiliame Gucake ‘Fofola na ibe―Improving Pasifika Legal...
Report: Series of 6 Research Highlights: Relationship Property Division in New Zealand
RH1 - Knowledge and Understanding of Relationship Property Division (PDF) RH2 - Relationship Property Division: Insights From Those Who've 'Been There, Done That' (PDF) RH3 - How the Relationships Between Former Partners Affects Their Property Division (PDF) RH4 - The...
Summary of research: How we fail children who offend and what to do about it: ‘A breakdown across the whole system’
Download the report (PDF) How we fail children who offend and what to do about it: ‘A breakdown across the whole system’ - Brief summary of research and updated recommendations Publication date: August 2022 Authors: Professor Ian Lambie, Dr Jerome Reil, Judge Andrew...
Report: The Breaking Wave: Oceans reform in Aotearoa New Zealand
The Breaking Wave: Oceans reform in Aotearoa New Zealand (PDF) Summary Report: The Breaking Wave: Oceans reform in Aotearoa New Zealand (PDF) The Breaking Wave: Oceans reform in Aotearoa New Zealand Publication date: June 2022 Authors: Greg Severinsen, Raewyn Peart,...
Report: Inspiring National Indigenous Legal Education for Aotearoa New Zealand’s Bachelor of Laws Degree Phase 2 Report (Part 2)
Download the report (PDF) Inspiring National Indigenous Legal Education for Aotearoa New Zealand’s Bachelor of Laws Degree Phase Two: Consultation 2021 Part II – Expert Interview Report Publication date: May 2022 This is part 2 of the final report summarising findings...
Report: Young Adults in the Criminal Justice System in Aotearoa New Zealand
This report reviews the principles, evidence and comparative examples with options for further reform and innovation to improve the experience of young adults in the criminal justice system in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Report: How we fail children who offend and what to do about it: ‘A breakdown across the whole system’
This is the final report of research that looked at risk and protective factors for children (under age 14 years) who offend in order to improve early identification and intervention efforts, and protect such children from potentially lifelong criminality.
Report: Improving Pasifika Legal Education Project Literature Review
This literature review from the Improving Pacific Legal Education project explores the barriers and interventions supporting Pasifika people succeeding in law school and taking up a career in the legal profession.
Report: Inspiring National Indigenous Legal Education for Aotearoa New Zealand’s Bachelor of Laws Degree Phase 2 Report (Part 1)
Part 1 of the final report from Phase 2 of the Indigenising the New Zealand law degree project summarises findings from the survey.
Article: Criminal justice system interactions among young adults with and without autism: A national birth cohort study in New Zealand
This article reports on research into the prevalence of criminal justice system interactions among young adults with and without autism and whether offence types differ between these groups.
Article: Dignity and Mana in the “Third Law” of Aotearoa New Zealand
This article provides an overview and critique of the use of the term ‘dignity’ within New Zealand law, as well as the associations drawn between mana and dignity, and the potential for a new third-law concept of dignity.
Report: Relationship Property Division in New Zealand: The Experiences of Separated People
An interdisciplinary research team examined how separated couples in New Zealand are making decisions about their post-separation relationship property division.
Report: Toward a Modern Slavery Act in New Zealand – Legislative landscape and steps forward
This White Paper looks at the need for modern slavery legislation in Aotearoa New Zealand, examining the current situation in New Zealand along with international frameworks and outlining recommendations for reform.
White paper: The Breaking Wave A conversation about reforming the oceans management system in Aotearoa New Zealand
The working paper summarises the first phase of the research, presenting various options for change and posing questions for discussion.
Report: Entitlements to Deceased People’s Property in Aotearoa New Zealand
This report summarises findings from a national survey of public attitudes and values about entitlements to a deceased person’s property to assist the Law Commission’s review of the law of succession.
Report: Online Legal Information Self-Help in Aotearoa: An agenda for action
This report reviews international experience in the development of online legal information and self-help by government, community organisations and social enterprises.
Guide: How To Talk About Crime And Justice
This guide summarises research and provides advice for people who communicate about justice.
Report: Inspiring National Indigenous Legal Education for Aotearoa NZ’s Bachelor of Laws Degree Phase One
The final report from the first stage of a national, multi-year project led by 16 Māori legal researchers. It explores systemic change in the legal studies curriculum in Aotearoa NZ universities as a step towards integrating Māori law into our legal system.
Online Book: Rape Myths as Barriers to Fair Trial Process
This open access book summarises 4 years of research investigating how and why rape trials re-traumatise complainants.
Report: Evaluation of the Special Circumstances Court
The evaluation explored the key elements of the Special Circumstances Court, its impact and potential opportunities to strengthen the court.
Report: Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Parties in the Courts: A Chinese Case Study
This report shares finding from a study into the unique issues for courts, judges, lawyers, prosecutors and interpreters to ensure equal access to justice for culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse parties in the courts, and Chinese litigants and defendants in particular.
Guide: Expert and Public Narratives on Crime in New Zealand: Gaps and Opportunities
This short guide summarises findings of the first phase of research looking at how experts and the public talk and think about crime and justice.
Report: Working Towards a Fairer Consumer Credit Market
This report shares findings from research on interest rate caps, including their use and impact in other jurisdictions and how might they contribute to a fairer consumer credit regime in New Zealand.
Report: Survey of financial mentoring and budgeting services in Aotearoa
This report summarises findings from a survey of 76 financial capability and budgeting services about high cost short term loans, debt collection and other consumer credit issues.
Report: Relationship Property Division in New Zealand: Public Attitudes and Values
An interdisciplinary research team, led by Otago University, set out to find what views New Zealanders held on the division of relationship property on separation.