23 Dec 2022

High Court reserves its decision on 501 deportee case

8:28 pm on 23 December 2022
18072016 Photo: Rebekah Parsons-King. Wellington High Court.

The government today sought a stay in proceedings after a judge ruled earlier this week that parole-like conditions imposed on a former drug dealer sent back to New Zealand amounted to double punishment. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King

Justice Minister Kiri Allan says she is awaiting the outcome of an application to stay proceedings in the case of a 501 deportee.

The government today sought a stay in proceedings after a judge ruled earlier this week that parole-like conditions imposed on a former drug dealer sent back to New Zealand amounted to double punishment.

It is concerned that if a stay is not granted, deportees arriving before Parliament resumes will have no conditions attached to their release.

The judge reserved his decision.

Allan said the Crown Law Office wanted the stay to ensure Police and Corrections had the appropriate powers to manage 501s living in New Zealand and arriving in the country, until a longer-term solution was found.

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