The judge who has moved his Youth Court sessions to a marae says it is not an easy option for rangatahi.
Judge Hemi Taumaunu runs the court at Te Poho o Rawiri marae in Gisborne every second Friday.
He told Waatea News that new ways of thinking were needed to tackle the high number of young people getting into trouble with the law, while at the same time holding them accountable for crimes they have committed
Judge Taumaunu says the court worked with the hapu at Te Poho o Rawiri to develop an appropriate tikanga, and each session includes a powhiri, karakia, mihi and kapu ti.
