Submission on the Gangs Legislation Amendment Bill

Mana Mokopuna - Children and Young People’s Commission has an obligation to advocate for the rights, interests, well-being and participation of all children up to age 18, and all care-experienced young people to age 25. We have a particular responsibility to advocate for mokopuna Māori in the context of their whānau, hapū, iwi and communities. We also have a particular responsibility to advocate for mokopuna in situations of vulnerability, such as those experiencing poverty.

We oppose the Gangs Legislation Amendment Bill because we believe its impacts upon mokopuna have not been adequately considered. Instead, our submission supports evidence-based, early-intervention responses to gang related offending.