Youth Justice - Is It Working for Māori Youth?

According to Rainey Collins Chairman of Partners James Johnston the New Zealand Youth Justice System has a number of significant problems requiring attention, particularly in relation to overrepresentation of Māori males. Indeed for the vast majority of Māori youth, Mr Johnston’s view is that the Youth Justice System is not working.

Mr Johnston recently spoke at the Māori Law Society National Conference held at the Victoria University Law School at Wellington and addressed a session at the Conference on the topic entitled 'Youth Justice – Is It Working for Maori Youth?’

The address looked at a number of issues including the objects and principles of the relevant legislation and a practical analysis of how the youth justice system actually works. Statistical data was also presented which supported Mr Johnston’s views. Data concerning Police apprehension rates, prosecution rates and conviction rates for Māori youth were also considered. That data covering an eight year period from 1991 to 1998 made it clear that Māori youth were three times more likely to be apprehended by Police, five times more likely to be prosecuted and between four and seven times more likely to be convicted of an offence/receive a Court order than his or her non Māori counterpart. The session also looked at issues of restorative justice.

Mr Johnston then considered the Ministry of Justice Youth Offending Strategy and the present priorities of the Government. According to Mr Johnston “It is pleasing to note that the issue of overrepresentation of Māori across the youth justice system is a priority”.

Mr Johnston urged all stakeholders in the Youth Justice System to get to the bottom of the problem and find solutions which will be in the best interests of not only the disproportionate number of Māori youths and their respective families but also for the nation as a whole.