Police Commissioner: Māori cannabis prosecutions down

Police Commissioner Andrew Coster responds to criticisms that Māori are still being unfairly prosecuted for low level cannabis offences, despite a law change last year giving police more discretionary powers. Last week, the Māori Council chief executive Matthew Tukaki said little had changed for Māori​ with regard to cannabis prosecution rates after the law change last July. The Police Commissioner Andrew Coster says police are not particularly interested in cannabis use and possession, and are far more focused on methamphetamine production and supply. He says statistics for the three months to September show prosecutions for Māori down by 17 per cent, fewer than 20 per cent of all people caught with cannabis only prosecuted, and 500 health referrals made.