Ngāpuhi based remand service launched to keep young offenders in the north

Monday, 15 October 2018

A New Zealand first remand scheme for teen offenders hopes to break the cycle of Ngāpuhi being the most incarcerated group in prison.

With Ngāpuhi making up about a quarter of the adult prison population and about two-thirds of young people reoffending within two years of entering Youth Court proceedings, a new programme called Mahuru hopes to turn the statistics around.

Mahuru - the new Tai Tokerau Youth Remand Service - was launched at Kohewhata Marae in Kaikohe earlier this month. 

Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services in conjunction with Oranga Tamariki will engage the offenders in a programme which includes exploring their connections to Ngāpuhi, provides drug and alcohol workshops, health checks and outdoor living skills in an effort to stop reoffending.

Young people on remand are awaiting their next Youth Court appearance and until now were placed in youth justice residences in Auckland ahead of their next court date. 

Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services general manager Liz Marsden said approximately 40 young Ngāpuhi were remanded each year to youth residences in Auckland where they had the opportunity to mix with convicted offenders.

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'We felt that was an extreme response with the potential to mix with more sophisticated and convicted offenders,' Marsden said. 

'That could lead to becoming institutionalised and possibly ending up in the adult prison system.

'We wanted to try and ensure that they didn't make it to prison and wanted to provide another option.'

Registered social workers engage the youth, aged 14 to 17-years-old, in the programme during the week, with trained and approved caregivers housing the young people at night. 

Tai Tokerau MP Kelvin Davis supports the move to try a new approach. 

'Just repeating the mistakes of the past is just a waste of time, energy and resources. 

'It's really important this partnership between Oranga Tamariki and Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services is happening. 

'I think the Government has to find ways to support the public sector and ministries to create partnerships together. When Māori do well, it's good for the whole country.'

Davis said of the approximately 10,000 people in New Zealand's adult prison system, around 50 per cent are Māori and around 50 per cent of those are from Ngāpuhi. 

'It's a tragedy for the future of Ngāpuhi.'

Youth Justice Manager for Oranga Tamariki in Te Tai Tokerau Aroha Tahere said remand is a period of uncertainty for youth.

'It's really important they receive the right support and stability so they do not make any further bad decisions. 

'The young person is first assessed on the level and nature of their offending, their mental health, and any concerning behaviours, to ensure it is a safe option for everyone involved including the young person, kaimanaaki, any victim/s of their offence, and the community.

'Through Mahuru, tamariki will remain in te Whare Tapu o Ngāpuhi where they can learn more about their identity, rather than being sent out of the region to facilities where they have not existing connections or relationships.'

Lady Heeni Phillips-Williams from the Sir Peter Williams QC Penal Reform League said the league applauds the joint venture. 

'It will require hard mahi and dedication from those working at the accommodation level but these initiatives are the type that must be encouraged not only by Oranga Tamariki and the government but by Northland Māori tribal social service and marae groups - in order to keep youth away from the clutches of bad and bizarre prison culture. 

'Prisons are mere breeding grounds for further involvement in crime where recruitment dens for gang involvement are the order of the day.'