Our Vision

Ā Mātau Moemoea

JustSpeak is a movement of young people who are speaking up and speaking out on criminal justice for a thriving Aotearoa.

We develop youth-led tools, resources, spaces and support to facilitate a public conversation on criminal justice informed by evidence and lived experience.

Punitive attitudes are a barrier to positive change in criminal justice and form the context within which policies and legislations in our criminal justice sector are formed. Together young people can change this conversation and transform our justice system to be fair, just and compassionate.

Our Journey

Ā Mātau Ara
2019
Launch of high school workshops and civic dinner project
2018
Launch of Kōrero Pono
2018
Successful campaign to stop the billion dollar mega prison at Waikeria
2017
Whiti Te Ra
2016
Successful campaign to raise the age of youth justice
2015
JustSpeak became the primary organisation for the Trust, advancing the work started 10 years earlier by matua Kim Workman
2014
Unlocking Prisons report
published
2013
Collaborated on a theatre production of Verbatim
2012
Māori and the justice system report
2011
JustSpeak was formed in Wellington as a youth branch of Rethinking Crime and Punishment and part of the Robson Hanan Trust
2005
Rethinking Crime and Punishment established

Our People

Ā Mātau Tangata

Operational Team

Tania Sawicki Mead

Director

Tania brings leadership, passion and excellent taste in office treats to the JustSpeak team.

Kirsten Van Newtown

Volunteer and Projects Coordinator

Kirsten is our champion of volunteers and juggler of many balls.

Emily Menkes

Justice Campaigner

Board Members

Dr Kim Workman

Kaumātua

The voice of reason and the face of criminal justice reform

Andrea Black

Treasurer

Our resident tax guru and Policy Director at the Council of Trade Unions

Pam Thorburn

Board member

Director of Student Services at Victoria University

Jordan Anderson

Chair

Criminology PhD student at Victoria University

Laura O'Connell Rapira

Board member

Director of ActionStation and Co-Founder of RockEnrol

Alexandra O'Connor

Board member

Volunteer representative

Anne Waapu

Board member

Kaupapa Māori Researcher

Tamatha Paul

Board member

Rangatahi advocate and Wellington City Councillor

Moana Cole

Board Member

Christchurch based Barrister