Harawira Hone: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Harawira Hone: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:657;Page:6850] 
10.  
HONE HARAWIRA (Maori Party—Te Tai Tokerau) 
 to the  
Minister of Justice 
: He aha te whakaaro mo te whakatutanga o tetahi Kooti Taiohi ki te Marae o Manurewa? 
[ 
What is the rationale behind establishing a Youth Court to sit at Manurewa Marae? 
] 
Hon SIMON POWER (Minister of Justice) 
: 
 The establishment of a Youth Court sitting at Manurewa Marae extends a judicially led initiative spearheaded in Gisborne. Marae-based youth court sittings involve the wider community in an attempt to enhance the usual Youth Court processes. They are designed to increase accountability and reduce reoffending. I am visiting Gisborne next week and look forward to observing the marae-based initiative in action. 
Hone Harawira 
: Tena koe. E tautoko ana ia i ta Honore Takuta Pita Sharples hanga pakeke ake te marae i te Kooti mo ratou te hunga kua hamenetia; ki te tautoko ia he aha tana ki te whakauru atu i tenei momo tikanga ki nga Kooti mo nga Pakeke? 
[An interpretation in English was given to the House.] 
[ 
Thank you. Does he support what Hon Dr Pita Sharples said that offenders held to account on a marae felt more comfortable in this setting than in a courtroom; if so what will he do to include this kind of restorative justice in courts for adults? 
] 
Hon SIMON POWER 
: In respect of the second part of the question which is in relation to expanding the initiative as I said this is a judicially led initiative. It is a matter for the Principal Youth Court Judge and the Chief District Court Judge to make those decisions and to decide on any expansion or otherwise in respect of this initiative. In respect of the first part of the question—the comments made by Dr Pita Sharples—anecdotally that is similar to advice I have received. 
Hone Harawira 
: Hoi no. He aha te tino kaupapa i tu ai te marae hei Kooti a kei hea nga huruhuru kia rere ai tenei manu? 
[An interpretation in English was given to the House.] 
[ 
Indeed. What is the real purpose for making the marae a court and where are the resources to make this happen? 
] 
Hon SIMON POWER 
: As members of the House will be aware the Youth Court process itself still takes place in the normal court for all young people. The purpose of the marae-based Youth Court is to monitor the young person’s progress and compliance with the family group conference plan. The family group conference plan is approved by the judge at a formal sitting of the Youth Court. In respect of the issue relating to costs currently the ministry provides a small budget of between about $5000 and $10000 in total per annum to cover things such as the hiring of marae and other costs of those sittings.  
Jacinda Ardern 
: Can the Minister confirm that this announcement is based on the very successful trial of the Youth Court sitting on a marae in Gisborne an initiative launched last year by Labour? 
Hon SIMON POWER 
: I can confirm that the Manurewa-based marae project which has had some attention in the media today is based on the initiative that is running in Gisborne. Although the marae-based Youth Court has been in place only since May 2008 anecdotal evidence suggests that young people participate more fully in the proceedings. There has been no formal evaluation done yet of the effectiveness of the initiative but I watch it with interest.