Justice Centre | 19 Aitken Street
DX SX10088 | Wellington
T 04 918 8800 |
F 04 918 8820
[email address] | www.justice.govt.nz
27 May 2024
Letty Smith
[FYI request #26427 email]
Our ref: OIA 111412
Tēnā koe Letty
Official Information Act request: Youth Justice
Thank your email of 13 April 2024 to the Ministry of Justice (the Ministry) requesting, under
the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act), information about youth justice. Specifically, you
requested:
I have recently seen that you are recruiting for a senior policy role. I was curious to
see the name changes of the teams involved in that area, in particular the change
from victims policy team to victims and youth justice team. Given this, I would like to
know:
when did this name change occur?
when was it decided that Ministry of Justice would have responsibility for youth
justice?
what communications occurred with the Oranga Tamariki, Corrections and / or
Public Services Commission in relation to this change?
why are you recruiting into this area when there are still restructures (and
associated redundancies) happening in other justice sector agencies, in particular
those with responsibility for youth justice?
why is the closing date for this advertised position so early in light of those
restructures and redundancies?
why was consideration not given to lifting and shifting staff from other justice
sector agencies with responsibility for youth justice as opposed to open
recruitment?
In response to your questions, I can confirm that Oranga Tamariki continues to administer
the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989. The Ministry has always had a role in youth justice policy. It
is the lead agency for the Justice sector, it provides administrative support to the Youth
Court and the Family Court and their respective judges, and there are significant overlaps
between the youth and adult criminal justice systems. For example, a young person who
commits a serious crime may be tried and/or sentenced in either the District or High Courts.
The Ministry therefore commits resources to youth justice policy. This includes engaging with
agencies who lead or have an interest in this work, such as Oranga Tamariki and the Police.
