1999 New Zealand justice referendum

A Citizens Initiated Referendum was held in New Zealand on 27 November 1999, based on the question:

1999 New Zealand justice referendum
27 November 1999 (1999-11-27)

"Should there be a reform of our justice system placing greater emphasis on the needs of victims, providing restitution and compensation for them and imposing minimum sentences and hard labour for all serious violent offences?"

Results
Choice
Votes %
Yes 1,886,705 91.75%
No 169,699 8.25%
Valid votes 2,056,404 98.90%
Invalid or blank votes 22,849 1.10%
Total votes 2,079,253 100.00%
Registered voters/turnout 2,509,365 82.86%

Should there be a reform of our justice system placing greater emphasis on the needs of victims, providing restitution and compensation for them and imposing minimum sentences and hard labour for all serious violent offences?

The referendum saw changes to law such as the Bail Act 2000, which made it harder to be able to be granted bail which meant more individuals would have to await trail in remand prisons.

The referendum also saw adaptions to the Victims Rights Act 2002 and the implementation of Victim Impact Statements to be read in court.

Additionally, the Parole Act 2002 made it harder for inmates to apply for/get parole and leave prison early meaning people in prison for longer adding to prison population.

Results

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Electorate Yes  Y No  N Total valid votes Informal votes Total votes counted Electors on Roll Turnout
AAATotal[1] 99991.75% 9e991,886,705 9998.25% 9e99169,699 9e992,056,404 9e9922,849 9e992,079,253 9e992,509,365 99982.86%
Albany 93.17% 31,959 6.83% 2,341 34,300 307 34,607 41,815 82.76%
Aoraki 94.18% 32,026 5.82% 1,980 34,006 334 34,340 39,665 86.58%
Auckland Central 83.56% 26,116 16.44% 5,138 31,254 642 31,896 39,934 79.87%
Banks Peninsula 89.20% 33,305 10.80% 4,034 37,339 399 37,738 42,584 88.62%
Bay of Plenty 95.05% 32,786 4.95% 1,709 34,495 262 34,757 41,630 83.49%
Christchurch Central 88.69% 28,727 11.31% 3,664 32,391 405 32,796 40,083 81.82%
Christchurch East 93.36% 30,073 6.64% 2,138 32,211 243 32,454 38,061 85.27%
Clutha-Southland 94.71% 29,056 5.29% 1,622 30,678 259 30,937 37,167 83.24%
Coromandel 94.11 32,496 5.89% 2,034 34,530 367 34,897 40,278 86.64%
Dunedin North 87.62% 27,252 12.38% 3,850 31,102 482 31,584 36,885 85.63%
Dunedin South 92.61% 33,125 7.39% 2,643 35,768 316 36,084 41,686 86.56%
ZZTotal[1] -9e9991.75% -9e991,886,705 -9e998.25% -9e99169,699 -9e992,056,404 -9e9922,849 -9e992,079,253 -9e992,509,365 -9e9982.86%

References

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  1. ^ a b "7.1 Returns of Citizens Initiated Referendum Poll Votes". Elections New Zealand. 27 November 1999.