We exist for nothing short of the complete transformation of our criminal justice system. We want to build communities, not prisons. We want to decolonise the criminal justice system. We want to ensure every individual and whanau have the resources they need to thrive. We want a fair, just and compassionate Aotearoa. 2020 was an intense year. Pushing so many of our already marginalised individuals and communities closer to the line, or completely past it. Putting the squeeze on housing and social services. And further isolating those already incarcerated. But we believe these very same challenges present us with a great opportunity. Over the last 12 months, many New Zealanders have caught a fresh glimpse of the need to transform our criminal justice system. From news coverage of stories like George Floyd’s murder, the Waikeria Prison Protests and the abuse and torture at AWCF, to the shared experience of lockdowns and isolation, we believe Aotearoa has new eyes to see and new ears to hear. The time for a just and compassionate criminal justice system is now. However 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. In order to shift these attitudes, for the purpose of funding, policy and legislative change, we need to raise the counter narrative; challenging the status quo and championing new possibilities. A grant from My Giving Circle will help us deliver advocacy, education and outreach programmes that do just that. Thank you for your support of a just and compassionate Aotearoa.