22 January 2025
C190346
[FYI request #29408 email]
Tēnā koe
Thank you for your email of 2 December 2024 to the Department of Corrections – Ara
Poutama Aotearoa, requesting information about people who have been deported. Your
request has been considered under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA).
The Returning Offenders (Management and Information) Act 2015 came into effect in
December 2015. Under this Act, a person can be subject to a returning offender order (ROO)
which requires them to be managed by Corrections on their return. Corrections does not
determine who is subject to a ROO. This decision is made by the Police Commissioner, and
an application for an order for special conditions is made by Corrections to Court in order to
manage the deportee.
Where a person is subject to a ROO, Corrections has a record of their status if they are
subsequently imprisoned. Deportees who are not eligible for a ROO are not managed by
Corrections.
Corrections staff are part of the multi-agency contingent that meets returning offenders on
their arrival in the country. We work alongside Customs, Police, MSD, Health and
reintegration support people to ensure returning offenders understand what is required of
them under their ROO and tel them where they can get help to resettle here.
Further information which may be of interest to you is available on our website and annual
report here:
https://www.corrections.govt.nz/working_with_offenders/community_sentences/sentence
s_and_orders/returning_offenders_order
https://www.corrections.govt.nz/resources/strategic_reports/annual-
reports/annual_report_202324
You requested:
how many 501s are currently on romi orders or police databases or currently
incarcerated
The term 501 refers to the number of a particular section of the Australian Migration Act
1958 under which some people are deported from Australia. Not all deportees from
Australia have been deported under section 501. Not everyone who returns to New Zealand
NATIONAL OFFICE, WELLINGTON
Mayfair House, 44 – 52 The Terrace, Wellington, 6011, Private Box 1206, Wellington 6140,
Phone +64 4 460 3000
www.corrections.govt.nz
2
and is made subject to a ROO is from Australia. In addition, not al people who have been
deported are subject to Corrections’ supervision. Corrections is therefore not able to
provide information on al deportees. The data we are providing therefore relates to
everyone subject to a ROO, not just those who have returned from Australia.
As of 4 December 2024, 201 people were subject to a ROO.
In addition, as of 4 December 2024, 243 people who have been subject to a ROO are in
custody. Of these, 116 are sentenced prisoners and the other 127 are in prison on remand.
Regarding the part of your request which asks about Police databases, we have consulted
with Police who advised they hold information relating to all deportees from Australia since
2015. Generic statistics about this is publicly available on their website here:
https://www.police.govt.nz/about-us/publications-statistics/data-and-
statistics/policedatanz
Please note that this response may be published on Corrections’ website. Typical y,
responses are published quarterly, or as otherwise determined.
I trust the information provided is of assistance. I encourage you to raise any concerns
about this response with Corrections. Alternatively, you are advised of your right to also
raise any concerns with the Office of the Ombudsman. Contact details are: Office of the
Ombudsman, PO Box 10152, Wel ington 6143.
Ngā mihi
Luke McMahon
Deputy Chief Executive (acting)
Communities, Partnerships and Pathways
