Source: New Zealand Government
The Oranga Tamariki (Responding to Serious Youth Offending) Amendment Bill has passed its third reading.
This marks an important step in strengthening New Zealand’s response to serious and persistent youth offending.
“When I became the Minister for Children, I made it clear that the status quo was not good enough,” says Minister Chhour.
Too many young people were becoming involved in serious and persistent offending, often causing significant harm to victims and communities, while becoming further entrenched in the youth justice system themselves.
We needed to do something different. That is exactly what this Bill does.”
This Bill provides important tools to protect communities, support victims, and improve outcomes for the most at-risk young people in our youth justice system.
At the heart of the legislation is the young serious offender declaration, which enables a stronger and more targeted response to the small group of young people who continue to offend despite previous interventions.
The declaration provides the Youth Court with additional tools to intervene earlier and more effectively to reduce the risk of future offending.
The new military-style academy order will be the most intensive response available to the Youth Court.
The order combines structure, discipline, education, therapeutic support and transition planning to help eligible young people address the causes of their offending and build more positive futures.
“Ultimately, this legislation is about safer communities, greater public confidence in the youth justice system and better outcomes for young people.
This Bill builds on, and locks in, the progress we have made as part of the Government’s wider commitment to reduce serious and persistent child and youth offending by 15 percent by 2030.
I am pleased to report the number of serious youth offenders has reduced by 26 percent since June 2023.
These results clearly demonstrate that targeted, decisive action can improve outcomes for our young people and communities, putting them on a different path in life is what will help unlock their potential.” says Minister Chhour.
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/09/22/bill-continues-progress-on-responding-to-serious-youth-offending/