This Insight Briefing presents our observations and insights on the persistent, multi-decade problem of the disproportionality of wāhine Māori (Māori women) in the criminal justice system.
Our observations arise from our roles including monitoring places of detention, handling complaints, and agency engagement. It also draws on the views of Pūhara Mana Tangata – our Māori Advisory panel members — Dame Naida Glavish, Juscinta Grace, Kura Moeahu, Lady Tureiti Moxon, Ngahiwi Tomoana, and Wallace Haumaha, and Professor Tracey McIntosh.
Context and considerations
- Recent data illustrates the compounding nature of this problem at every stage of the pipeline as wāhine Māori make up 44% of Police proceedings, 66% remanded into custody, and 71% sentenced to imprisonment. As of April 2026, wāhine Māori represent 65% of the total female prison population and 69% on remand.
- This is not a formal Ombudsman report, and the focus is at a system-level, so the report does not contain any new adverse findings concerning individual agencies.
- This briefing contains an initial analysis of the problem and what might help address it, based on what we see across our independent, citizen-focused oversight. It outlines areas which we consider require some further inquiry, investigation and scrutiny to support efforts to address this problem.
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