News Item

“New Zealand’s Gift to the World: the Youth Justice Family Group Conference”, is a celebration of New Zealand’s Family Group Conference (FGC) that came into being with the Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act 1989, 25 years ago.

This Law Foundation-funded publication is co-authored by Judge Carolyn Henwood*, and writer and editor Stephen Stratford. It examines how well this world-leading process is living up to its vision and how it can be further improved to reduce youth crime in NZ.

The power of the FGC, in resolving youth crime, is explored in the book through true stories and actual FGC outcomes. Included are the opinions of those who work in the field of youth justice (both inside and outside government).

Despite youth crime being at an all-time low, and the success of the FGC, the book makes some solid recommendations for improvement. Highlighted is the need to look at leadership in the sector and review the way the State and Iwi engage with each other in youth justice.

The book was written in collaboration with The Office of the Principal Youth Court Judge, NZ Police, The Office of the Chief Social Worker and published by the Henwood Trust.

More about the book

The New Zealand Law Foundation provided funding of $32,700 towards the preparation of this publication.

*Judge Henwood is a District Court judge and former Youth Court judge. She is convenor of the Parole Board and Chair of the Confidential Listening and Assistance Service.