Youth Justice

Introduction to Youth Justice

Youth justice is a special section of the law that deals with offending by children aged 10 to 13 years, and young people aged 14 to 16 years.

The Ministry of Justice Youth Justice Team is part of the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Group and is based in the Ministry’s National Office in Wellington.

The Youth Justice Team was established in 2002 following the release of the Government’s Youth Offending Strategy in April that year (see Youth Offending Strategy). The establishment of the Team reflected a Ministerial decision that the Ministry of Justice would be the single lead policy agency for youth justice.

The Youth Justice Team is responsible for inter-agency coordination and policy leadership on youth justice matters. This involves providing advice to the Minister of Justice, developing youth justice policy proposals in collaboration with other government agencies and youth justice stakeholders, overseeing implementation of the Youth Offending Strategy, and supporting Youth Offending Teams (YOTs), the Youth Justice Leadership Group and the Youth Justice Independent Advisory Group.

If you would like to make an enquiry to the Youth Justice Team you should contact the Ministry of Justice National Office reception on telephone 04 918 8800 or email reception@justice.govt.nz.