Repeal of Three Strikes law reaps little comment

• Author: Angela Woods
• Published date: 11 August 2022
• Publication title: Northern Advocate, The (Whangarei, New Zealand)

Representatives from several community groups and domestic violence charities approached by the Advocate did not wish to comment on the end of the legislation

However, one community leader who did wish to comment was Te Hau Āwhiowhio ō Otangarei Trust chief executive Martin Kaipo, who is also a former high-ranking Black Power member.

Kaipo said there was a place for harsher sentences such as those imposed under the Three Strikes law.

“If you look at the repetitive offenders, they need to be held accountable ... you’ve got to look at the type of offending.”

He said it was also important to look at ways to address behaviour through rehabilitation programmes and work with whānau.

Te Hau Āwhiowhio ō Otangarei Trust provides social services, particularly to urban Māori, in the deprived Whangārei suburb.

Prominent Northland lawyer Arthur Fairley welcomed the news of the law’s repeal.

“It didn’t work, most of us didn’t like it and it could lead to injustices.”

The Three Strikes law removed flexibility and mandated sentences judges were able to impose anyway, he added.

The Three Strikes law was a creation of the Act Party in 2010 when it was in a...