Family and the Youth Court

The family or whanau is the heart of the youth justice system. The law recognises all kinds of family groups across all cultures.

A young person's family includes:

• extended family – including at least one adult related by blood or by law, or

someone the young person is emotionally attached to

• their whanau

• any other culturally recognised family group.

The law says family and whanau:

• should be supported and strengthened in their dealings with the Youth Court

• should be encouraged to find their own ways of dealing with their young people's offending

• should be involved in making decisions affecting their own young people.