with Strategic Training and Development Services The Family Centre Social Policy Research Unit

A team bringing together a mix of perspectives and methods evaluated section 16 of New Zealand’s Criminal Justice Act 1985. This is a provision which allows an offender’s supporter to speak about the offender’s cultural background at sentencing. At the heart of the evaluation were case studies of the use of this provision among Maori and Pacific People and other cultural groups. Researchers with experience in research among their own communities carried out each set of case studies using methods appropriate to those communities. The depth and richness of the qualitative findings from the case studies were interwoven alongside quantitative information from a survey of those within the system responsible for implementing the provision. The evaluation produced findings that contributed to legislative change, raised awareness of the provision, and became a resource for practitioners working with a range of cultural groups within the criminal justice system. Key words Cultural perspectives, justice, Mäori, research with Mäori, case studies, mixed methods Section 16 of New Zealand’s now amended Criminal Justice Act 1985 allowed an offender who was before court for sentencing to request the court to hear a person speak on their behalf. The person could speak about the ethnic o