Marae youth courts reshape attitudes, Govt says

John Key at the launching of the Hoani Waititi Rangatahi Court in Waitakere. Photo / Steven McNicholl

Seventy-five youths, mostly Maori, have had their Youth Court hearings in a marae and there is anecdotal evidence that it is helping to reshape attitudes, the Justice Ministry says.

Prime Minister John Key opened the Hoani Waititi Rangatahi Court yesterday in Waitakere, with Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples and Courts Minister Georgina te Heuheu.

It is the third marae to become a Rangatahi Court, after Poho o Rawiri Rangatahi Court, in Gisborne, and the Manurewa Rangatahi Court, which is linked to the Manukau court in South Auckland.

The initiative - started under the Labour Government but expanded under National - is the brainchild of Judge Heemi Taumaunu, who thought that troubled youths would benefit from reconnecting with their culture.

Poho o Rawiri Rangatahi Court had its first sitting on May 30, 2008. Sixty-four young people have had their cases heard at the marae. Manurewa Rangatahi Court opened last September. The first session took place in November and the court sits fortnightly. Eleven youths have had their cases heard there. While there has been no formal evaluation of the programme, initial feedback has been positive.

Susan Howan, acting general manager for District Courts, did not know the cost of the programme, saying only that the Justice Ministry hires the marae and pays the koha for the kaumatua and for the catering. Ministry staff are also involved in the process.

Ms Howan said the system allowed family group conferences to take place on a marae.

"The family group conference plan is approved by the judge at a formal sitting of the Youth Court. To be eligible to have their case monitored on the marae, the young person needs to have admitted their offending or have had the charge or charges against them proven."

Rangatahi Courts are now planned for central Auckland, Hamilton, Whakatane, Rotorua, New Plymouth and Christchurch.