Restorative Justice Services Ōtautahi is a Charitable Trust that has been providing restorative processes since 1998.
We are funded by the Ministry of Justice to provide restorative justice processes for people going through the court system. We can also work on referrals post-sentencing or outside of the court system. Please contact us if you wish to discuss this.
We have trained and accredited Restorative Justice Facilitators who will guide and support participants through the process. We follow best practice guidelines, aiming to provide a process that is safe, flexible, and responsive to the needs of participants, and fosters understanding and accountability. Restorative justice is voluntary, and participants can withdraw from the process at any time.
Restorative Justice Services Otautahi Christchurch has a full-time Manager, three part-time Restorative Justice Coordinators, a part-time Office Manager, and a team of contracted Restorative Justice Facilitators.
We also provide governance and management support to Restorative Justice West Coast – He Oranga Whakatikatika Te Tai Poutini.
We have a team of roughly 15 contract Restorative Justice Facilitators.
We are governed by a Trust Board of up to eight members (including the Chairperson) elected by our Annual General Meeting. The Board is able to co-opt members as required.
Our board members are Vaughan Milner (Chairperson), Philip Shamy, Alana Edlin, James Morrison and Patricia Hird.
The one word which is most important to Restorative Justice above all others is respect; respect for all, even those who are different from us, even those who seem to be our enemies
Howard Zehr