The government has unveiled new measures to target youth and gang crime, but they won't come into force before the election.
It intends to create a new offence, so that those who use young people to commit a crime could face up to 10 years in prison.
People would also face a tougher sentence if they post their offending behaviour on social media.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins hit out at those who involve young people in crime.
The government will also enable the Family Court to require, not request, young offenders participate in activities like cleaning graffiti and picking up rubbish.
But Mr Hipkins says legislation which would enable those changes won't pass before October's election.
Despite that, he says the Labour government is focused on preventing crime.
The government is also pumping $26 million into the police's prosecution service.
The money will fund almost 80 full time equivalent staff to prepare the police's work in court.
Police Minister Ginny Andersen spoke to Susana Leiátaua.
