Lifewise wishes to acknowledge their support of the petition being delivered to the Social Services and Community Committee against the Oranga Tamariki (Youth Justice Demerit Points) Amendment Bill.
The petition states that the Amendment Bill fails to understand or acknowledge the driving factors behind youth offending, or respond to the complex and layered challenges facing our rangatahi. The Bill proposes a Youth Justice Demerit Point System believing this will put an end to the existing situation of perpetual reoffending by youth without consequences.
According to Lifewise Youth Leader, Aaron Hendry, the Bill demonstrates a lack of understanding of the drivers behind youth offending, and the sort of interventions needed to support rangatahi to thrive.