The bill was well intentioned but misguided, Judge Andrew Becroft says.
Photo: Supplied
The Oranga Tamariki (Youth Justice Demerits Points) Amendment Bill sought to reduce repeat reoffending through a demerit points system.
Points would have been assigned based on the gravity of an offence, and there would have been different consequences for varying levels of demerits.
High level offending, which was 100 points or more, would have seen charges filed in the District Court, rather than the Youth Court.
Judge Andrew Becroft said it would have criminalised more children and young people, particularly impacting those who are Māori, care experienced or disabled.
Total ban as CHB fire risk soars
5 Feb, 2021 12:34 AM
3 minutes to read
Waipukurau and Tametea Rural firefighters deal with a riverbed blaze surrounded by tinder-dry long grass
CHB Mail
Police Youth Aid is dealing with several young people after an unpermitted fire got away on them as they were toasting marshmallows on the Tukituki Rver Reserve behind Russell Park, Waipukurau, on Saturday afternoon.
The fire took hold amongst trees and dry grass on the river berm, with Waipukurau Volunteer Fire Brigade and Tamatea Rural Fire Brigade attending and swiftly dousing the flames.
John Freeman of the Tamatea Rural Fire Brigade said it was lucky that the wind was in the right drection, given the amount of long dry grass in the area.
Principal Youth Court Judge John Walker says the figures reflect a push for early intervention.
Photo: Supplied
A new Justice report has revealed offending rates among young people fell by 64 percent in the past decade, and for children it fell by 63 percent.
Principal Youth Court Judge John Walker said it reflected a push for early intervention, and effective work by Police Youth Aid. It also reflects what I m seeing in terms of numbers of current cases in the Youth Court, which have been steadily dropping now for sometime.
One of the real strengths of the Youth Justice System was diversion, which was the result of about 70 percent of all police apprehensions.