3. TE URUROA FLAVELL (Māori Party—Waiariki) Link to this
to the Minister of Police
What police procedures are followed to detain people without charge, and to search and photograph others, while stopped at roadblocks?
Hon ANNETTE KING (Minister of Police) Link to this
Procedures for detaining, searching, and photographing people at roadblocks follow the relevant standard operating procedures in legislation. The nature of the operation and the potential or actual risk to the community and the police dictate which procedures in legislation are used.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
What compensation is available to families for damage to property in normal circumstances when subject to police actions?
My understanding is that the police compensate families for damage that has occurred during a raid, should the people be found not guilty of any charge.
Keith LockeIs the Minister concerned at the over-the-top way these raids were conducted, and at the fear they have created among not only Tūhoe people but politically active people throughout the country; and what will the Minister, together with the police, be doing to overcome that very real problem in our community?
First of all, I will be awaiting the outcome of the inquiries and not rushing to judgment. I think that if we looked at the most recent UMR Insight poll on this issue, we would see that most New Zealanders agree as well that we ought not to rush to judgment on police action. I say to that member that he should wait and see. If inappropriate action has been taken, then there is a proper course of action to be followed.
Dr Pita SharplesTēnā koe, Madam Speaker. Tēnā tātou katoa. Is the Minister satisfied that the police were following appropriate procedures when grieving families from Hamilton, who were travelling to Waiōhau for a tangihanga, were pulled over twice by the police for no apparent reason other than that their vehicle had stickers on the back saying “Tūhoe Legends”?
I could not possibly comment on that particular incident. I am happy to ask the police for a report on it, should the member give me the particulars of that case. I have no knowledge of it.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
What trauma counselling does the Government provide to communities as a result of police actions such as those that were reported as having occurred on what some refer to as “Black Monday”?
Counselling and assistance are available through Victim Support. I gather that counselling is also available through the education system, should people wish to access it. I do not know whether people have made approaches for such assistance, but I am sure that if they did, people would look sympathetically at such approaches. However, I say to members that people experience many violent and vicious things in our society, often in what they see on television, and that not everybody requires counselling. For genuine cases I believe that counselling is available, and people should take up the opportunities that are there.