Making a Complaint

There are lots of community organisations and government agencies that provide services to victims of crime. They all aim to meet the standards set out in the Victims Code.

If you believe you haven't been treated fairly then you have the right to make a complaint.

Feedback helps agencies to keep doing the things that are working well and make improvements to things that aren’t working as well.

Where to Direct your Complaint

Decide where to complain to from the steps below to make sure the right people get your complaint.

For complaints relating to:

The Department of Corrections

Information about a sentenced offender:

write to the Victim Information Manager, Department of Corrections, Private Box 1206, Wellington 6140 or email complaints@corrections.govt.nz.

The Department of Corrections:

email victim.complaints@corrections.govt.nz.

More information about the Department of Corrections complaints process is on their Complaints Resolution website(external link).

Justice, Courts & Tribunals

For complaints relating to a Judge’s conduct, contact the Office of the Judicial Conduct Commissioner(external link) on 0800 800 323 or complete a complaint form, available at www.jcc.govt.nz(external link).
For complaints relating to the prosecution of a case by a Crown Solicitor, you can contact your local Crown Solicitor(external link) and tell them you want to make a complaint again the prosecutor The lawyer who presents the case against the person accused of a crime. View the full glossary .
For complaints relating to a legal aid lawyer, you can contact the legal aid complaints team via their website(external link) or by email at legalaidcomplaints@justice.govt.nz.
For complaints relating to information about a mentally impaired defendant you can write to the Director of Mental Health, Office of the Director of Mental Health, PO Box 5013, Wellington 6145 or email info@health.govt.nz.
For complaints about the prosecution of a workplace crime you can call 0800 030 040, email feedback@worksafe.govt.nz or write to Feedback and Complaints, Worksafe New Zealand, PO Box 165, Wellington 6140.
For complaints relating to young offenders and family group conferences you can call 0508 326 459 or complete a complaint form, available from your local Child, Youth and Family office or on their website(external link).
For complaints relating to court staff or Court Victim Advisors, please complete the online complaints form via the Contact Us page.

Find more information about the Ministry of Justice complaints process via their website(external link).

Police

If you are unhappy with how the Police have behaved or treated you, you can complain to the Independent Police Conduct Authority(external link).
For a less formal option, you can give feedback directly to the police by completing an expression of dissatisfaction form on their website(external link).

Find more information about the Police complaints process by reading their complaints pamphlet(external link) or visiting their website(external link).

NZ Parole Board

If you want to make a complaint about any service or information provided by the New Zealand Parole Board(external link), contact the Manager, New Zealand Parole When an offender is allowed out of prison to finish their sentence in the community. They must follow certain conditions. View the full glossary Board Parole Board A Parole Board decides whether an offender Person convicted of a crime (before being found guilty, the person charged with the offence is called 'defendant'). View the full glossary is ready to be released from prison View the full glossary , on 0800 727 653 or email info@paroleboard.govt.nz.

For complaints relating to parole hearings or extended supervision orders you can call the Manager, New Zealand Parole Board on 0800 727 653 or email info@paroleboard.govt.nz.

Health and Disability Services

For complaints relating to information about a mentally impaired defendant you can write to the Director of Mental Health, Office of the Director of Mental Health, PO Box 5013, Wellington 6145 or email info@health.govt.nz.

For complaints relating to a health and disability service you can visit the Ministry of Health complaints website(external link).

Immigration

For complaints relating to Immigration matters you can write to the Central Feedback Team - Immigration New Zealand, PO Box 1473, Wellington 6140, or email INZComplaintsandFeedback@mbie.govt.nz.

Oranga Tamariki

For complaints relating to young offenders and family group conferences you can call 0508 326 459 or complete a complaint form, available from your local Child, Youth and Family office or on their website(external link).

Find more information about the Oranga Tamariki complaints process on their website(external link).

Online Complaints Form

If you are still unsure where to send your complaint, you can use the online complaints form.

Other content