Te Pāti Māori Vows to Abolish Prisons

Te Pāti Māori has unveiled a new policy platform calling for significant reforms to New Zealand’s justice system, with a long‑term goal of abolishing prisons by 2040 and replacing them with community‑based alternatives.

The Policy Announcement // TPM Instagram

The party's proposal includes redirecting funds from police and prisons into prevention, mental health, addiction programmes, and restorative justice services. Key elements of the plan involve establishing an Independent Māori Justice Authority, closing youth residences, eliminating military bootcamps, and implementing all recommendations from the Waitangi Tribunal. The reforms also include repealing laws such as the Three Strikes law and the Bail Amendment Act, restoring voting rights for people in prison, increasing support payments for those released from custody, and requiring police to wear body cameras.

Supporters of the plan argue that it is a step toward addressing long‑standing disparities in New Zealand’s criminal justice system and reducing the over‑representation of Māori in prisons. Critics, however, have raised concerns about the feasibility and public safety implications of some proposals.

While no country has fully abolished prisons, many nations have taken steps to reduce reliance on incarceration. Countries like Germany and Finland use non‑custodial sentences more frequently for less serious offences as part of a broader shift toward penal reform that focuses on rehabilitation over punishment. International discussions around alternatives to traditional prisons continue, with many governments exploring approaches that prioritize rehabilitation and community‑based justice.