Pārongo | Information Te Matarau Ā Mātou Mahi | Our responsibilities Pārongo | Information Te Matarau Ā Mātou Mahi | Our responsibilities Media releases Systemic Inquiries Inquiry into eyewitness identification evidence Application Statistics Completed reviews Official Information Requests Unreasonable Correspondence Conduct Ō Mātou kawenga | Our Accountabilities Annual Disclosures of Tumu Whakarae | Chief Executive Expenses Ā Mātou Mahi | Our responsibilities Operating as an independent Crown entity, we employ specialised personnel investigating possible miscarriages of justice. We have established protocols that ensure our investigative process is responsive to Māori and Pacific communities, allowing us to represent the diverse makeup of our nation.Our primary role involves the assessment of potential miscarriages of justice, with the aim of referring suitable cases to an appeal court for review. Individuals who have been convicted of a criminal offence and believe their conviction or sentence is unjust can apply for a review of their case.Our Kaikōmihana | Commissioners examine cases and determine the appropriateness of a referral. Find out more about our Commissioners.We remain independent from Ministers, courts, and relevant Crown organisations, including the Police, Department of Corrections, Ministry of Justice, and Crown Law Office. While the Minister of Justice oversees the Crown's interest in Te Kāhui and is accountable to Parliament for this responsibility.The criterion for referring a case to an appeal court hinges on whether we determine it aligns with the principles of justice. Factors considered in making referral decisions include whether the convicted individual has exhausted all available appeal avenues, the presence of new evidence, and the likelihood of a successful referral. See "Te Hātepe | How it works" for more information.Empowered with the authority to conduct our own investigations, we can present our findings to the Minister of Justice when we deem it in the interests justice to do so.
