It's through some of these roles and experiences that I've seen just how inflexible the criminal justice system can be, particularly for our Māori, Pasifika, and new migrant communities. An ability to access the system is important, but so too is the ability to be an active participant in proceedings, to be aware of what is happening, and to understand the process and the options available to those involved. Prior to my election to Parliament, I was looking forward to taking up a commissioner role with the newly established Te Kāhui Tātari Ture, the Criminal Cases Review Commission. The loss of one's freedom and liberty is one of the most—if not the most—severe consequences that the State can impose, so there must be a sense of independence, integrity, and fairness in the system. But those judicial tenets of independence, integrity, and fairness must not purely exist; they must also be evident and active in the very police, court, and wider criminal justice processes that New Zealand has in place. The commission, while still in its infancy, is a potential safeguard within the jurisdiction, and I look forward to seeing it over the next few years.