The paper first lists the Strategic Result Areas (SRA's) set for the New Zealand public sector for 1997-2000. The SRA's are strong economic growth, enterprise and innovation, external linkages, education and training, economic and social participation, safer communities, health and disability services, Treaty of Aitangi, and protecting and enhancing the environment. The justice sector agencies linked to specific SRA's are then listed. The SRA of "Safer Communities" is noted to be the key SRA for criminal justice agencies. The various justice system emphases within this SRA are outlined. The second major section of this paper reviews the criminal justice principles and policies of the two coalition parties of the current government. These are presented under the categories of corrections, justice, law and order and police, justice for the Maori (native people), and social welfare. The third major section of this paper presents key statements, key result areas, and current research agendas for individual government departments in the Justice Sector. Included for each agency is a section on the availability of reports and statistical publications. Contact information is included as well. A 2-item bibliography