Watch Minister of Education and Police Chris Hipkins, and Minister for Social Development and Employment Carmel Sepuloni make the announcement here:
Children under 14 caught doing ram raids will be given intensive support to steer them away from crime, towards study and work.
The move is part of a $53 million government package extending education and employment programmes to thousands more at-risk young people.
Education and Police Minister Chris Hipkins said the package was a response to a rise in youth crime – particularly in Auckland.
“The government is investing heavily in programmes that create opportunities for young people to break the cycle of crime,” he said in a statement.
“While youth crime is down on a decade ago, we’re seeing a spike of young people, even children, putting themselves and others in harm’s way through high-risk activities such as ram-raiding and smashing shops and we want that to stop.
“This package will help address complex and longer-term youth engagement issues that have been made more challenging by Covid-19. Frequent disruption has prevented some children and young people from accessing an education, while others are still struggling with the impacts of the pandemic on them and their families.”
Punishing young people through the justice system usually set them up for a life of crime, and preventing youth crime was important to preventing gang membership, Hipkins said.
The ‘Better Pathways’ package was a second chance for those who deserved it, he said.
“Part of this package is designed to help keep young people out of the justice system where police and partner agencies believe this approach is warranted.
“But I want to be clear, young offenders committing serious crimes will continue to be dealt with seriously. This is about a second chance for those that merit it; it’s not a free pass,” Hipkins said.
What the package includes
- Children in Counties Manukau caught in ram raids are already being referred to the Social Wellbeing Board – a cross agency team including police and social workers – and that’s now being extended to West Auckland.
- Youth Guarantee Programme which allows some 16-19-year-olds to participate in some courses free of charge extended to support up to 1100 more participants
- He Poutama Rangatahi youth employment scheme extended to support around 1400 more rangatahi
- Ākonga Fund extended to the end of 2023 to support up to 2750 additional young people and their whānau
- 232 families with children set to benefit from the scaling up of the family functional therapy, intensive mentoring and community-led youth inclusion programmes
