Tony Gibbs announced as new Howard League patron

Tony Gibbs. Photo / Paul Estcourt

New Zealand business identity Tony Gibbs has been announced as the new patron of the Howard League for Penal Reform.

League president Peter Williams QC said that Gibbs had agreed to become inaugural patron of the organisation.

The decision to appoint a patron was part of the organisation's move "to step up its work to reduce recidivism amongst the country's offenders," said Williams.

"To do that we need a solid anchor at the top, a person of integrity who is highly respected across the community."

Williams said Gibbs was a tireless campaigner for the principles and causes in which he believes including a respect for proper human values.

"Tony Gibbs brings significant mana to the role of Patron and his experience and networks will be a valuable addition to the League's effectiveness."

Gibbs was removed from his position on the board of investment company GPG in June after he publicly spoke out against plans to split off its Australian business into a separately listed company.

He remains chairman of life insurer Tower and the Turners and Growers fruit company.

Gibbs said the work of the Howard League work was vital to ensure that the penal system isn't merely a 'costly human scrap-heap' that New Zealanders should be ashamed of.

"If we want safer communities and better outcomes from the penal system, we all have a part to play in making that happen. As a society we can't simply wash our hands of the problems once the key is turned on a prisoner. Inevitably the thousands in our prisons will come back to our communities and rehabilitation must be the focus to make sure that they don't re-offend."

-HERALD ONLINE