Maori Party supports debate on Fresh Start programme

The Maori Party will support the introduction of the Children, Young Persons and Their Families (Youth Courts Jurisdiction and Orders) Amendment Bill, according to Party co-leader Dr Pita Sharples.

“There are parts of the Fresh Start programme that we support, and we will vote for this Bill to go to a Select Committee so the issues can be publicly debated,” said Dr Sharples.

“We support new Youth Court orders for drug and alcohol rehabilitation – these absolutely have to be backed up with real resources to treatment providers, because young people need special care.

“We also support options for supervising young people in the community and ‘spotlight’ sentences, but a lot depends on how the programmes are rolled out.

“Maori groups have successful programmes, based around intensive therapy with families, wilderness challenges for young people, and chances to move into training and employment,” said co-leader Tariana Turia.

“The Maori Party campaigned for 'more community, less bureaucracy’. Whanaungatanga, or family-based networks, are the key to success. Instead of employing thirty more social workers and ten more youth justice co-ordinators, that money could be invested in community capability,” she said.

"And where offences have occurred, communities must have a better chance than the current system of enforcing sanctions and changing behaviour through marae-based justice and habilitation-type centres,” said Mrs Turia.

For info contact: Andrew Robb, Press Secretary 029- 482 8494