Criminal Cases Review Commission chief and advisory board named

The justice minister also announced that the CCRC advisory group will be formed by:

• Tracey McIntosh – Professor of indigenous studies and co-head of Te Wānanga o Waipapa (School of Māori Studies and Pacific Studies) at the University of Auckland
• Nigel Hampton CNZM, OBE, QC – Criminal defence lawyer
• Elisabeth McDonald – Professor of criminal law, evidence and procedure at the University of Canterbury
• Dr Anna Sandiford -  Senior forensic science consultant and director of The Forensic Group
• Dr Tamasailau Suaalii-Sauni – Associate professor of criminology at the University of Auckland
• Tim McKinnel – investigator and previously a detective with New Zealand Police

The advisory group will advise on the CCRC’s design, to ensure consistency with the legislation, Little said.

The justice minister also said that by design, the CCRC will call Hamilton home, in order to be “independent from the big bureaucratic and judicial centres, Auckland and Wellington.”

The CCRC, which begins operations on 1 July, is currently looking for commissioners.