Eight years to the day the marae-based Rangatahi Courts were established, those behind the initiative have received an international award.
At Ōrākei Marae, kaumatua from 14 marae and the eight judges involved accepted the Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration (AIJA) Award for Excellence in Judicial Administration.
Judge Heemi Taumaunu says, “Even though the award is for judicial excellence, I believe it is in recognition of all marae and groups who are working hard to build and grow the benefits of this initiative.”
The communal approach is one of the reasons why the elders and judges received the award here today.
Taumaunu says, “Uncle Api (Dr Api Mahuika) said to us, "When you come to the marae, you all arrive as visitors, your mana is the same. It doesn't matter if you are a judge, youth or a family, you all arrive as equals."
The Ministry of Justice says participants in Rangatahi Courts committed 14% fewer offences in the following 12-month period.
Tini Astle (Waikato) says, “We aren't being led by the blind, we know the outcomes and aspirations we want.”
Whare Hiku (Nga Hau e Wha o Pukekohe) says, “Around 54% of the prison population is Māori. If we could reduce that to 10%, perhaps the money could go toward other things like Te Matatini.”
Judge Taumaunu says there is still work to be done and perhaps the next challenge to face the courts would be taking the initiative to Northland and other areas who have expressed an interest in it.