In 1989, New Zealand introduced radical changes to legislation relating to child witnesses. This opened the way for videotaped evidence, closed-circuit television, screens, and one-way glass to be used when children give evidence in criminal cases. Furthermore, the legislation allowed expert witnesses to testify on a broader range of issues than previously had been possible. Interpretations of the provisions, as reflected in recent case decisions, are reviewed, and the results of a survey designed to assess how lawyers, judges, members of the police, social workers, and other child professionals perceive the new provisions to be working are reported. In general, the provisions of the new legislation have been well received.
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