Tauranga Judge Louis Bidois has been recognised for his work in the Rangatahi Court.

Louis is one of eight judges who has received the Australasia Institute of Judicial Administration award for excellence in judicial administration for the 'pioneering work” in the Nga Kooti Rangatahi/Rangatahi Court.

Courts and Justice Minister Amy Adams congratulates the judges and Ministry of Justice, in particular the Chief District Court Judge and Principal Youth Court Judge, and Youth Court Judge Heemi Taumaunu - who established the first Rangatahi Court in Gisborne back in 2008.

'This award recognises the significant collaboration between courts and communities to help young New Zealanders turn their lives around.”

Amy says the initiative is also gaining international recognition. Initial research suggests in the following year, participants committed 14 per cent fewer offences and were 11 per cent less likely to commit new offences.

The Courts are part of a suite of initiatives reducing offending by young Maori since 2009. In 2015, 1000 fewer Maori aged 12 to 16 appeared in the Youth Court compared to 2009 – a reduction of 47 per cent.

The Rangatahi Courts address offending by young Maori by involving communities in the youth justice process and encouraging strong cultural links. The Court creates an environment where young people are supported by their whanau, kuia and kaumatua, to take ownership of their offending.

'Young Maori and their whanau engage with the justice system, and draw upon the support of the marae, iwi, whanau and hapu to address the needs of the young person.

'Rangatahi Courts are now widely accepted within New Zealand's justice sector and by the Maori community, as a legitimate response by our courts in addressing some of the fundamental issues underlying offending by Maori youth in our country, and I congratulate the judiciary for this achievement,” says Amy.

'I also want to acknowledge the commitment of kaumatua and community leaders, and other supporters who are working together to make a difference in the lives of young people, their communities, and future generations.”

Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration director Professor Greg Reinhardt presented the award to all eight Judges who established and lead the 14 marae-based Rangatahi and two Pasifika Courts: National Rangatahi Court Liaison Judge Heemi Taumaunu, Judge Louis Bidois, Judge Denise Clark, Judge Francis Eivers, Judge Greg Hikaka, Judge Alayne Wills, Judge Eddie Paul and Judge Ida Malosi. Kaumatua representing each marae will also be honoured for their support and contribution to the Courts.

The Judges who received their awards yesterday in Auckland, were nominated for the award by Chief District Court Jan-Marie Doogue and Principal Youth Court Judge Andrew Becroft.

They wanted to recognise the tireless personal and professional efforts of the eight Judges in developing the genuine and enduring relationships with Māori communities required to sustain such an initiative.

Chief Judge Doogue and Judge Becroft say this is an honour warranting celebration.

'We can all feel proud that those who developed this uniquely New Zealand way of delivering justice into the heart of our communities have been honoured.

'These Judges have taken courageous and significant steps on behalf of their own people to develop this innovative and culturally appropriate response to Maori and Pasifika youth offending.”

There are five Rangatahi Courts in the Auckland region, plus courts in Gisborne, New Plymouth, Hamilton, Whakatane, Rotorua, Huntly, Tauranga, Taupo and Christchurch. The Two Pasifika courts are in Avondale and Mangere in Auckland.