Please note that these Cabinet papers were from the Labour/Progressive Government 2005-2008. The subsequent National-led Government formed in 2008 has taken up some, but not all, of the proposals in them with the Domestic Violence Amendment Act 2009, and Child and Family Protection Bill 2009 (still before the House as at 21/9/10).

This report is the first of four Cabinet papers that report on submissions received in response to the release of the discussion paper, A review of the Domestic Violence Act 1995 and related legislation: A discussion document (Ministry of Justice, 2007). It provides an overview of the submissions received and the impact of domestic violence on New Zealand society. While acknowledging that the Domestic Violence Act (1995) is, in its first principles, sound law, the Ministry of Justice, in consultation with other government agencies, key stakeholders and members of the public, proposes a number of amendments. These aim to further strengthen the objectives and implementation of the Act and to enhance the consistency between it and the Care of Children Act (2004). The three accompanying papers cover the role of the Police and the enforcement of protections orders, the role of the Courts, and the responsiveness of the current regime with regard to children affected by domestic violence.

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