July 17 Statement from Chief Children's Commissioner

To be attributed to the Chief Children's Commissioner, Judge Frances Eivers:

"I welcome the Government's plans to look into adult involvement in youth offending, as announced by the Prime Minister today.

"Crimes such as those labelled ram-raids are incredibly dangerous for everyone involved, but especially for the mokopuna who commit them. We can't ignore the fact that there may be an adult influence in the recent rise in this type of offending.

"Offending puts children and young people on a path that’s hard to find a way back from. I'm pleased to see the Government look more closely at how adults might be using or rewarding mokopuna to carry out serious offending.

"As Children's Commissioner, I've long called for a closer look at the underlying cause and factors behind youth offending. I hope this move by the Government will go some way to protecting young people and preventing further harm."

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact:

Melissa Wastney (she/her)
Kaitohutohu - Communications and Media Advisor
Mana Mokopuna | Children and Young People's Commission
027 8762731