Youth Justice
Justice Committee focus on youth justice
Parliament's justice committee has been hearing experts on youth justice, the age of criminal responsibility, and better outcomes from alternative approaches to justice. Audio
How young is too young to be charged with a crime?
New Zealand's age of criminal responsibility is lower than many other countries around the world - Amnesty wants the government to change that. Audio
Ram raid reports distort true youth crime picture
Anyone reading the headlines on ram raids in recent weeks could be forgiven for thinking youth crime has hit crisis levels. But data shows that's not the case, and some say the media could do better… Audio
Serving up opportunities for Youth Justice residents
An Oranga Tamariki youth justice residence is providing opportunities for residents to learn hospitality skills, by getting their help to run a cafe at the facility. Te Au rere a te Tonga in… Audio
“Matua, you say that words can change the world. One word changed my world – guilty.”
In a powerful address, Lyttelton poet Ben Brown explores the impact of deprivation and cultural estrangement on generations of our boys, as well as the redemptive power of words. Audio
Youth court now dealing with 17 year olds
Among the many changes in law that took place yesterday July 1st was changes to the Youth Justice system. As of yesterday the youth court will now consider offending by 17-year-olds. Audio
Early intervention the best way to prevent youth crime
A new report says early intervention is the best way to steer children away from crime. The findings are nothing new - academics have been beating this drum for three decades - but little has changed… Audio
Youth in court for robbery at highest level since 2008
The number of children and teenagers appearing in court for robbery is the highest in almost a decade. Audio
Youth justice political appetite waxes and wanes
Opinion - National says its "junior training academy" for young offenders is a new approach but history suggests otherwise, writes David Cohen.
Youth justice group slams govt's boot camp plan
Youth justice lobby group Just Speak says the government's proposed year-long military boot camp plan for serious young offenders tells RNZ's Demelza Leslie the Waiouru Army camp will be just another… Audio
Allegations of violence and bullying in youth facilities
"We need to be constantly vigilant and we need to be visiting regularly." The Children's Commissioner, Judge Andrew Becroft, says we need expect the highest standards for the care of the country's… Audio
Allegations of violence at youth justice facilities
Allegations of fightclubs, bullying and assaults on youth by staff at a youth justice residence have emerged in a report by the Children's Commissioner. Sonja Cooper, a lawyer specialising in cases… Audio
New remand homes planned for young offenders
Three remand homes are being planned for Whangarei, Palmerston North and Dunedin, in a bid to stop young offenders being remanded into youth justice residences.
Govt urged to speed up Youth Court age change
The government should not delay changes to allow 17-year-old offenders to be dealt with in the Youth Court, a justice advocacy group says.
Get a move on with court age change: youth advocates
The Government has been told to get a move on with a law change that will stop 17 year olds being tried as adults. Advocates say the decision should follow the move to allow young people to remain in… Audio
Raising Youth Court age to 18
Lawyer Don Kennedy discusses raising the age to 18 for appearances in the Youth Court. Audio
Boys teargassed while in confinement
Shocking footage showing boys at a Northern Territory youth justice centre being tear gassed while locked in their cells will air on Australian tv tonight. Audio
Children's Commissioner says bias exists in justice, education
The new Children's Commissioner Andrew Becroft is backing a report that shows there is bias against Maori in the education system and says he has observed bias in the youth justice system as well. Audio
Proposal for 17 year olds to go before youth court instead of adult court
The Justice Minister, Amy Adams has asked her officials to look at whether allowing 17 year olds to remain in the youth court will reduce reoffending. She says there is more support and rehabilitation… Audio