Auckland's Papakura Marae has heard its first Youth Court case under tikanga Maori values.
The marae is the ninth in the country to begin hosting Te Kooti Rangatahi - a Ministry of Justice scheme which started in Gisborne in 2008.
Low-level offences will be heard at the Maori complex about once a month, allowing young Maori to connect with their culture while ensuring the law is still applied.
Papakura Marae chief executive Tony Kake says the court isn't an easy option for offenders.
He says, however, it supports tikanga values and is the right environment for dealing with these kind of situations.
Mr Kake says he's "chuffed" to have Te Kooti Rangatahi up and running at Papakura Marae after six months of planning and preparation.
