An advocate for homeless youth is challenging Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to support community and iwi-led, evidence based solutions for serious youth offenders.
Aaron Hendry from the Kick Back charity has organised a petition against the so-called ram raid bill that will crete new sanctions on serious youth offenders, including non-warrant arrest for bail breaches, greater use of electronic and judicial monitoring and military-style academies.
He says government should engage iwi, whanau and communities to care for their youth who are struggling, instead of focusing on punishment.
“There’s a small number of children that kind of fit into this category and the significant challenge we have is we don’t have the resources in our local community to respond adequately,” Mr Hendry says.
Kick Back and other supporters will present the petition to parliament tomorrow.
