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The Oranga Tamariki (Responding to Serious Youth Offending) Amendment Bill has passed its third reading.
As part of the government’s push to reduce child and youth offending by 15 per cent by 2030, the bill will enable a more targeted response to reoffending youth says Minister for Children Karen Chhour.
“When I became the Minister for Children, I made it clear that the status quo was not good enough,” Chhour says.
“Too many young people were becoming involved in serious and persistent offending, often causing significant harm to victims and communities, while becoming further entrenched in the youth justice system themselves.
“We needed to do something different. That is exactly what this bill does,” she says.
Part of the legislation is the young serious offender declaration, which provides the Youth Court with additional tools to intervene earlier and more effectively to reduce the risk of future offending.
The government says the new military-style academy order will be the most intensive response available to the Youth Court
The order combines structure, discipline, education, therapeutic support and transition planning to help young people understand why they offend and hopefully build more positive futures.
“Ultimately this legislation is about safer communities, greater public confidence in the youth justice system and better outcomes for young people.”
Chhour believes the proof is in the pudding, saying the number of serious youth offenders has reduced by 26 per cent since June 2023.
“These results clearly demonstrate that targeted, decisive action can improve outcomes for our young people and communities, putting them on a different path in life is what will help unlock their potential,” she says.
