Green Party: Labeling Rangatahi as criminals guarantees defeat

The government’s archaic ‘tough on crime’ approach is not evidence-based and will do little or nothing to keep our communities safe.

“This government’s criminal justice policy will fail our rangatahi and fail to address the main drivers of crime. Our rangatahi need opportunities to learn, perform mahi and contribute to their communities. This is what will allow them to reach their full potential, says Green Party spokeswoman for justice, Tamatha Paul.

“If we want young people to turn their lives around, we should not add to the pain and punishment they have experienced throughout their lives. Labeling children as young as 14 as serious criminals will only worsen the vulnerable situation many young people find themselves in.

“The Prime Minister may say he is fed up with youth crime, but he doesn’t know the main factors behind young people turning to crime.

“Drivers are often people who have experienced violence, trauma, mental health problems, learning difficulties and lack of support. It is well known that if young people receive basic support, such as decent housing and nutritious kai, and have opportunities to learn and contribute to the development of the community, they are less likely to turn to crime.

“By ignoring these factors, we only fuel a cycle of intergenerational trauma that devastates families and communities. Moreover, this government’s policies, such as cutting addiction support services and drug treatment programs, exacerbate the drivers of crime.

“Despite the government’s rhetoric about serious criminals, the evidence shows that most of the teenagers who will be targeted by these orders have already lived difficult lives, very different from the privileged and comfortable lives of ministers. Throwing these children into boot camps is inexcusably shallow policy and, if anything, will likely increase reoffending rates.

“The reality is that punishment does nothing but set these young people up for failure. Most of them already had extremely difficult lives where they never knew love or care, and all they knew was abuse and punishment. I know this because I spent If we want young people to change their lives, we have to try something other than the pain they have experienced all their lives,” says Tamatha Paul.