s] A law lecturer says the expansion of Maori Youth Courts could be stalled because of a lack of Maori judges.
A law lecturer says the expansion of Maori Youth Courts could be stalled because of a lack of Maori judges.
Rangatahi Courts started in 2008 and are held on a marae, with Maori protocol in the proceedings.
Of the 10 courts, half are in Auckland and the others are in Hamilton, Taranaki, Whakatane, Gisborne and Rotorua.
The first qualitative government report released last month said the courts have proved successful.
But an assistant lecturer at the Faculty of Law at Victoria University, Tai Ahu, says the lack of Maori judges is getting in the way of the courts expanding to other areas.
He said he would hope the courts would eventually be brought to the South Island.
Attorney-General Chris Finlayson says he understands something needs to be done to encourage Maori lawyers to work towards becoming judges.
