Far fewer people are being granted permanent name suppression in New Zealand courts, new data shows.
Figures released by Justice Minister Amy Adams show in the 2015 calendar year, 317 people received permanent anonymity in the High Court and District Court compared to 640 in 2011, when a law change came into effect.
The Criminal Procedure Act changed the threshold for getting permanent name suppression so there needed to be a risk of "extreme hardship" instead of "undue hardship".
The number of people receiving interim suppression, however, remained relatively unchanged during that time, with 1232 defendants in 2011 compared to 1191 last year.
Ms Adams says the law change brings a better balance between the public's right to know and the interests of the parties involved.
Newshub.
