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

Abstract

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.