Flavell Te Ururoa: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Flavell Te Ururoa: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:661;Page:9899] 
9. 
TE URUROA FLAVELL (Maori Party—Waiariki) 
 to the  
Minister of Justice 
: Ka whakaae te Kawanatanga ki te tutohutanga i te purongo o te Komiti o te Whakakotahitanga o nga Iwi o te Ao e ki nei “The State party should consider relinquishing the use of electro-muscular disruption devise (EMDs) ‘TASERs’ ”; ki te kore he aha ai? 
[ 
Will the Government agree to the recommendation from the United Nations Human Rights Committee report that “The State party should consider relinquishing the use of electro-muscular disruption devices (EMDs) ‘TASERs’ ”; if not why not? 
] 
Hon SIMON POWER (Minister of Justice) 
: 
 No. Tasers are an important tool to ensure the safety of police officers and the public particularly since New Zealand is one of only six countries in the OECD that does not routinely arm its police force. The Government has no plans to relinquish their use. I am confident that the procedures and processes in place are sufficient to meet any concerns. 
Te Ururoa Flavell 
: He aha te whakautu a te Kawanatanga ki nga awangawanga o te Komiti Whakatika Tangata o te Kotahitanga o te Ao— 
[ 
What is the Government’s response to the concerns of the United Nations Human Rights Committee 
—]  
Hon Simon Power 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I suspect that the problem is that there is no interpretation. Let me see whether we can sort that out instantaneously otherwise I may have to ask the honourable member to repeat the question in English. Sadly the Speaker cannot translate—much to my regret. Let me just see whether we can check why the interpretation is not coming through. 
I ask the honourable member to start the question again. If we do not get the interpretation I regret to do it and hope that he is not offended but I will have to ask him to ask his question in English. I ask him to start again if he would not mind. 
Te Ururoa Flavell 
: He aha te whakautu a te Kawanatanga ki nga awangawanga o te Komiti Whakatika Tangata o te Kotahitanga o te Ao e pa ana ki te noho tarewa o nga kehi tae noa ki te 2011 mo te hunga kua hamenetia e te Operation Eight; a he aha hoki tana ki te tutohutanga o te komiti kia kaua e waiho i nga kehi nei kia tarewa mo te wa roa? 
[ 
What is the Government’s response to the concerns of the United Nations Human Rights Committee about cases involving suspects arrested during Operation Eight being held over until 2011; and what is his response as well to the recommendation that these cases not be held over for a lengthy period of time? 
] 
Hon SIMON POWER 
: The matter the member refers to is currently before the courts. It is not appropriate for me to comment at this time other than to say that those arrested during Operation Eight are being accorded all their fair trial rights. This is one of the matters in respect of which the United Nations Human Rights Committee has asked for an update from the Government in 1 year’s time. 
Te Ururoa Flavell 
: He aha te whakautu o te Kawanatanga ki ta te ripoata o te komiti e ki nei me kaha aro atu te Kawanatanga o Aotearoa ki te whakakore i nga mahi aukati i te iwi Maori i roto i te whakatinanatanga o te ture? 
[ 
What is the Government’s response to comments in the committee’s report that the Government of New Zealand should increase its efforts to prevent discrimination against Maori in the implementation of justice? 
] 
Hon SIMON POWER 
: I do not accept the assumption that there is an institutional discrimination against Maori in the administration of justice. However the overrepresentation of Maori in the criminal justice system is a particular concern of this Government. The Government has identified four priority areas to reduce offending and reoffending. One of those is alcohol and the others include antenatal and maternity treatment and programmes to address behavioural problems in young children. Again this is one of the matters in respect of which the committee in New York has asked for an update in 12 months’ time. 
Keith Locke 
: I seek leave to table the final report of the United Nations Human Rights Committee in which the criticisms of Government policy— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is no objection. 
Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.