An independent judiciary supervises a legal system in which those accused of crimes are entitled to representation, have the right to a jury trial and, if convicted, the right of appeal. Several courts have a special jurisdiction, including those dealing with industrial and land disputes. Since 1975 the Waitangi Tribunal has investigated Maori claims to land and resources. There are 6,000 police officers in New Zealand who belong to a national force. Officers on patrol routinely are unarmed.
Violent crime is comparatively rare in New Zealand.
The death penalty was repealed 35 years ago.