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A group of youth offenders will today begin the government's new boot camp pilot in Palmerston North.
The Oranga Tamariki-run programme involves ten boys aged between 15 and 18, and will be run out of the existing Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice Residence.
All were from the North Island and nine were Māori.
Each of the teenagers had committed at least two crimes with a court sentence of at least ten years, Children's Minister Karen Chhour says.
The minister would be present at the opening pōwhiri Monday morning and says she wished the participants all the best.
While each teen's programme would be different to cater to their needs, the base of the pilot was the same, Karen says.
"It is around structure, wake up times, lights out times, daily exercise. It's about keeping their rooms tidy, all that structure and routine the young people need," she says.
A typical day would begin with a 6.30am wake up, include physical drills, education or employment pathway training, mentoring, whakapapa and cultural connection before lights out at 9.30pm
The Defence Force maintained an oversight role in the pilot, Karen confirmed.
About 30 Oranga Tamariki staff had been trained by NZDF to run the pilot and modifications had been made to one of the residence's sleeping quarters, she says.
Children's Minister Karen Chhour. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the boot camp's location in Palmerston North was "close to the Defence assets that are there that can be used, as I understand, from time to time".
But Karen says that was not the case.
"We're unable to use the Defence facilities, so we can only use the Youth Justice facilities under the current law.
"NZDF will have a little bit of involvement going forward, but probably not as much as when we change the law at the end of the year," she says.
An outdoor gym and assault course had also been built on the field of the residence for the programme.
Both would be able to be used by other rangatahi in the facility when those in the pilot were not using it, Karen says.
3 comments
Great Idea
Posted on 29-07-2024 20:36 | By Yadick
Boot camps are a GREAT idea and led properly I'm sure they will work well. Perhaps not for all but at least for most.
I'm not at all sure however about Oranga Tamariki running it. Their track record is not in any way good at all. The name alone rings negativity and I'm sure will not encourage course participants.
Time will tell
Posted on 30-07-2024 19:35 | By Supported living beneficiary
Youth need supervision because they so fight each other and I know this from experience from a family member who didn't offend as such but back a few years back he was enrolled on a 2 or 3 week one and he said he didn't like it but he needed it. So hopeful these young offenders will learn alot about themselves and want to change for the better.
Discipline is key
Posted on 31-07-2024 15:01 | By morepork
As a conscripted soldier I was VERY annoyed at having my life interrupted and my freedom curtailed. I arrived in Waiouru with the same sullen objection that 750 other young men did. But it was one of the best things that ever happened to me. It taught us (among other things...) discipline, respect, and loyalty. It challenged us as a group and individually, raised our confidence and improved our well-being (even in the midst of a Waiouru Winter...). I came out a better person than when I went in and it stood me in good stead for the rest of my life.
These kids will find it isn't about bullying or hazing, but about tapping into capabilities they don't realize they have.
I agree with Yadick regarding the Management, but it is NOT the place of the Defence Force to fix troublesome youngsters; maybe ex-service people fit better?
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