Victim Notification Register

New Zealand Police are responsible for:

• confirming your identity and contact details
• forwarding your application to the relevant agency that manages the person who offended against you.

You can discuss how to apply on the Victim Notification Register with the police officer in charge or your Court Victim Advisor.

Victim Support can also help you apply. You can contact them by:

• freephone: 0800 842 846 (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
• visit their website: Manaaki Tāngata | Victim Support(external link)

Police will assess whether you are eligible to be placed on the register based on the type of crime. They will also consider any ongoing fears for the physical safety or security of you, your family and whānau.

Department of Corrections can notify registered victims about specific events relating to the charge or sentence a victim is registered against. This can include if:

• the offender is released from prison, home detention, or post-detention conditions
• if the offender escapes from prison, is recaptured, or returns to prison on an interim recall
• if the offender is convicted of breaching conditions of home detention, parole or release conditions, or extended supervision order conditions
• the outcome of an application to have a prison or home detention sentence cancelled and substituted with another sentence
• if an application is made for cancellation of an extended supervision order and the outcome of an application for cancellation of an extended supervision order
• if the offender dies in prison, on home or post-detention conditions, on parole or release conditions, or on an extended supervision order.

Victim Notification Register | Department of Corrections(external link)

The New Zealand Parole Board considers parole for offenders serving more than two years in prison. If you are on the Victim Notification Register, the New Zealand Parole Board can keep you informed about parole hearings and decisions. This can include:

• notice of an upcoming Parole Board hearing
• invitation to make a submission and share your views with the Board
• the outcome of hearings, including release dates and any release conditions
• decisions about changes to release conditions
• decisions about a recall application, a final recall order and whether the offender must return to prison
• decisions about extended supervision order special conditions.

Victims | New Zealand Parole Board(external link)

If the person who offended against you is detained in a hospital or care facility for their mental health or intellectual needs, the Ministry of Health may be responsible for your notifications.

The facility managing the offender can notify you about specific events which may include:

• when the person is made a patient under the responsibility of the Ministry of Health
• applications and decisions about some types of leave from the hospital or care facility
• if the person escapes or is absent without approved leave, dies, is due to be discharged, or their sentence ends.

You may be invited to make a written submission for certain decisions related to the leave of the offender. If this happens, you will receive a letter that explains the decision and how you can share your views.

Victims’ Rights Act | Ministry of Health(external link)