Parliament enacts as follows:

1. Title

This Act is the Pasifika Community Development Act 2020

2. Commencement

This Act comes into force on the day after the date on which it receives the Royal assent.

3. Purpose

The purpose of this bill is to enable the appointment of Pasifika wardens in Pasifika communities.

4. Establishment of Pasifika Wardens

Part 1

(1) For the purposes of this Act the Minister of Maori and Pasifika Affairs may from time to time appoint in respect of any Local Government Ward 1 or more Pasifika Wardens to carry out duties in that district.

(2) No person shall be appointed or reappointed a Pasifika Warden in respect of any Local Government Ward unless they are residing in that district and has been nominated for appointment or reappointment by (number here) members of the Pasifika community in that ward.

(3) Every Pasifika Warden shall be appointed for a term of 3 years, but may from time to time be reappointed.

(4) The Minister may at any time, on the recommendation of the Pasifika community, cancel the appointment of a Pasifika Warden, and a Pasifika Warden may at any time resign their office by writing addressed to the Minister. Before recommending that a Warden’s appointment be cancelled, (number) of members of the Pasifika community shall notify the Warden of its intention to do so and shall give them an opportunity to appear in person before the community to oppose the recommendation.

(5) The powers of the Pasifika Warden shall be the same as the Powers of Maori Wardens and be governed by the legislation that governs Maori Wardens.

(6) Every Pasifika Warden shall have the powers conferred on him by this Act or by regulations made under this Act, and shall exercise those powers under the control and supervision and subject to any express directions of the District Maori Council or of any Maori Association to which the Council may delegate its powers pursuant to section 16(6).

(7) A Pasifika Warden has the authority to collect and detain an individual of Pasifika ethnic background within their jurisdiction who is acting disorderly or has committed a low-level offence. The Pasifika Warden has the authority to hold the person with a delegation of trusted community officials for a period of up to 24 hours The Pasifika Warden Authority will be responsible for ensuring the conditions which a detained official is kept in are considered safe and liveable. There is a duty for the Warden to discuss the offense with the detained individual and to file an appropriate report to the police following discussions. Following a 24 hour period of detention, a detained individual must be transferred to local law enforcement authorities. Subsection a does not limit the ability of the Warden to transfer a detained individual immediately into law enforcement detention.

Explanatory Note

General Policy Statement

The purpose of this bill is to enable the appointment of Pasifika wardens to enable better liaisons between Police and communities and deliver a community orientated approach. This bill enables the appointment of Pasifika wardens by the Minister of Maori and Pasifika affairs and provides for setting term limits and confers specific powers upon the Pasifika wardens. The Act also sets guidelines for the detainment of individuals by wardens, and if necessary the subsequent transfer of individuals to law enforcement.

B.1076 Pasifika Community Development Act 2021 is authored by /u/BestinBounds (Independent), u/model-frod (Labour) and /u/Gregor_The_Beggar (ACT) and is sponsored by u/CaptainKate2258 (Alliance) on behalf of the government.

Committee will end at 11:59pm 29/07/2021 NZT