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    What are the effects of Ngā Kōti Rangatahi on the health and wellbeing of rangatahi and their whānau who enter this system? : a thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2024-07-28) Findlay, Eru
    In the last two decades, Aotearoa New Zealand has established a judicial system in Māori communities. These establishments are termed Ngā Kōti Rangatahi (NKR), also known as Marae Youth Courts. The primary role of the establishment is to arrest the increase in crime by creating an environment that leads to a decrease in Māori youth reoffending nationally (The Justice and Electoral Committee, 2017). Rangatahi, youth aged 14 to 16 years of Māori ethnicity, are currently appearing in the New Zealand justice system more than any other ethnic group – and this is increasing (Ministry of Justice, 2017). There are many reasons why this is occurring, and the reasons can be broad and range from the individual experience to social conditions, or universal trends. The objective of this research was to investigate the effectiveness of NKR on the health and well-being of rangatahi and their whānau (families that take care of the wellbeing of Māori youth). This research also explored the relationship between youth offending and contemporary Māori socialization processes to identify customary approaches in Te Ao Māori and their relevance to contemporary views on what counts as justice for Māori. It looked at the theoretical perspectives which underpin NKR and examined the involved processes and their effects on rangatahi and their whānau. In doing so, this research assessed the potential of NKR to impact wellbeing as an alternative to the mainstream youth court system via the implementation of Durie's (1984) Te Whare Tapa Whā model as a holistic approach to NKR. Drawing on a mixed methods qualitative approach this study was conducted with NKR professionals, NKR youth, and their whānau. The research found that rangatahi and their whānau experienced health outcomes that corresponded with the four dimensions of Te Whare Tapa Whā model; physical, psychological, spiritual, and familial.
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    An evaluation of a differential classification system for young offenders : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1984) Beaumont, Graeme
    The aim of the present study was to examine the application and utility of the Quay and Parsons (1971) differential classification system for the classification of young offenders, in a New Zealand sample. It was also proposed to examine the construct validity of this system, by relating its subcategories to various psychological dimensions. Sixty-five consecutive new admissions to the Manawatu Youth Institution were administered the Quay and Parsons (1971) classification system. Each subject also completed the Standard Progressive Matrices, the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised, the Neuroticism Scale Questionnaire, the Machiavellianism Scale, a Role-taking task and the Rosenzweig Picture Frustration Study. Results on the above measures were mixed, with research based expectations being confirmed on some dimensions but not on others. Overall there were greater similarities between the three young offender subcategories, than there were differences between them. There was no strong support, therefore, for the construct validity of this system for a New Zealand sample. Social, cognitive and psychological characteristics of the sample as a whole were identified, however, and the relevance of these to possible treatment changes are discussed. On the basis of this study the incorporation of the Quay and Parsons (1971) system into existing classification procedures is not recommended without further refinement and research being conducted with it.
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    Are we failing them? : an analysis of the New Zealand criminal youth justice system : how can we further prevent youth offending and youth recidivism? : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Social Policy at Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2015) Johnson, Charlotte
    Youth crime is a prominent social issue in New Zealand that causes emotional and physical harm and loss to the numerous victims. This research provides an analysis of the current youth criminal justice system in New Zealand, beginning with a timeline of the history and evolvement of the youth justice system to illustrate how New Zealand has arrived at the present system. The drivers of youth crime and youth involvement in criminal offending were found to be initially born from a lack of engagement with education; neurological disorders; learning difficulties and mental illness; as well as the impact of young people’s childhood, which can include exposure to family violence; drug and alcohol abuse. Comparative policy evaluation was applied with comparative methodology and comparative cross national research to undertake an analysis of the youth justice system in New Zealand. International comparisons were used to discover plausible and practical improvements to the current youth justice system in New Zealand. The OECD countries used in the comparative analysis included Canada, Scotland, England & Wales, United States and Austria, who between them have significantly diverse and contrasting youth justice models ranging from welfare, care and protection centred models, to community-based rehabilitation models; preventative education and support to punitive models in their response to youth crime. ii It was found that several aspects of New Zealand’s current youth justice system function well when compared internationally. However, the comparative analysis also highlighted that New Zealand’s youth justice system presents a problematic gap in both the sheer lack of preventative methods in response to youth offending as well as community support during the rehabilitation stage. A number of policy recommendations are included within this report in response to the present shortcomings of the existing youth justice system in New Zealand. These policy recommendations provide practical solutions; adopting a preventative policy focus with plausible improvement suggestions to the existing youth justice system. The objectives are to ameliorate the youth justice system to better support youth offending and youth recidivism.