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A report released today on the effectiveness of the Rangatahi Court (te Kooti Rangatahi) shows positive early results for the programme, says Courts Minister Chester Borrows.

The report was released at Hoani Waititi Marae today by Mr Borrows, along with Māori Affairs Minister Dr Pita Sharples, Principal Youth Court Judge Andrew Becroft and Youth Court Judge Heemi Taumaunu.

The Government’s Fresh Start reforms are having a positive impact on youth offending, Associate Social Development Minister Chester Borrows says.

Child, Youth and Family today released an update report on the seven key policy changes included in Fresh Start.

“Fresh Start is about getting smarter in how we deal with young offenders. While it is still early days, these results are an encouraging indication that we’re on the right track,” Mr Borrows says.

Courts Minister Chester Borrows today confirmed the changes to the District Court network announced in October.

The changes involve nine small courts being used only for hearings, rather than being open five days a week, and four small courts being disestablished.

Two recent trials of tablet computers in courts have yet again demonstrated the potential of new technology to improve court efficiency, says Courts Minister Chester Borrows.

The most recent trial – an Environment Court hearing to consider a proposed coal mine on the Denniston Plateau – is currently nearing completion.

“We are constantly looking for ways to improve, modernise and make our courts more efficient.  Using tablets, such as iPads, instead of volumes of paper is a perfect example of this in action,” says Mr Borrows.

A bill to modernise the family justice system and make it more accessible to those who need it most has passed its first reading in Parliament today.

Associate Justice Minister Chester Borrows says the Family Court Proceedings Reform Bill is the first step towards addressing the serious concerns about the Court raised by court users including the public, judges, lawyers and counsellors.

The Christchurch Public Defence Service (PDS) office will be part of a high quality legal aid system, says Associate Justice Minister Chester Borrows.

At the office’s official opening today, Mr Borrows said the PDS delivers quality defence services to some of the most vulnerable New Zealanders.

“The PDS is an important component of the high quality legal aid system in this country, is well-regarded by judges, prosecutors and court staff, and delivers value for money.”

Investment by the Government to improve court safety has resulted in significant improvements, Courts Minister Chester Borrows announced today.

Between 2009/10 and 2011/12, security incidents in courts have fallen by 35 per cent, with serious incidents down 63 per cent.

“Those who go to court should be able to feel safe, whatever their reason for being there.  That’s why we’re investing in additional court security where it’s needed, and I’m pleased to see that investment paying off,” says Mr Borrows.

Expanding relationships with Māori and iwi youth service providers is an important tool in addressing Māori over-representation in youth crime, says Associate Social Development Minister Chester Borrows.

“Young Māori are significantly over-represented in youth offending statistics, with an apprehension rate of more than three times that of Pacific or New Zealand European young people,” says Mr Borrows.

Courts Minister Chester Borrows welcomed a successful trial today of video conferencing in the Family Court.

“Web-based video conferencing is exactly the kind of technology to bring our courts into the 21st century, offering great accessibility, efficiency and convenience.  Today’s mock hearing is an important step towards a more modern court system,” says Mr Borrows.

Improving the way we deal with victims of youth crime is an important part of a credible youth justice system, says Associate Social Development Minister Chester Borrows.

“It doesn’t matter if the criminal is 16 or 26; the impact of the crime is the same.  That’s why ensuring good treatment for victims of crime is just as important in the youth justice system as it is in the adult system,” says Mr Borrows.

Courts Minister Chester Borrows today announced changes to the District Court network, as part of efforts to modernise court operations.

“With crime falling to record lows and the number of people coming to court decreasing, we are taking the opportunity to improve how the 63 District Courts are administered and to modernise services so they are more in line with public expectations,” says Mr Borrows.

Courts Minister Chester Borrows announced today that people can now lodge claims and counterclaims with the Disputes Tribunal and pay their fee online.

“In a digital world, New Zealanders expect to access information and services via the internet, with all the convenience and speed that brings.  Moving Disputes Tribunal applications online will deliver that level of service for the over,” says Mr Borrows.

Associate Social Development Minister Chester Borrows welcomed the impending start of new information sharing between Inland Revenue and the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) as a huge step forward in preventing welfare fraud.

“The vast majority of beneficiaries are doing the best they can and follow the rules, but a small minority exploit the system at great cost to taxpayers,” says Mr Borrows.

Last year alone 714 people were convicted of benefit fraud totalling $23.4 million.

Associate Social Development Minister Chester Borrows says National Social Workers Day is the perfect time to acknowledge the important work social workers do with New Zealand’s young offenders.

“Unfortunately many people think that a clip-around-the-ear and a few stern words is all a young offender needs. But these young people have complex issues which need addressing, giving youth justice social workers an incredibly hard, but essential, job to help put them back on the right track,” says Mr Borrows.

Courts Minister Chester Borrows today released a consultation document on changes to civil fees in courts and tribunals administered by the Ministry of Justice.

“Civil court and tribunal fees need to strike a balance between the public and private benefit of court and tribunal services, to fairly allocate the cost between taxpayers and those using the services.  The proposals being consulted on are aimed at delivering a principled, consistent and fair approach to civil court fees,” says Mr Borrows.

“Alcohol and drug rehabilitation programmes are a vital weapon in reducing youth crime, helping young people to break out of the cycle of addiction, develop pro-social skills and resist the negative influences of peers,” says Associate Minister Social Development Chester Borrows.

Mr Borrows today visited Odyssey House in Christchurch, which has 27 years’ experience in providing alcohol and other drug rehabilitation programmes to adults and young people.

Courts Minister Chester Borrows announced today that the amount of fines and reparation owed has reached its lowest level in eight years, falling more than 25 per cent in three years.

“This Government is committed to building a safer New Zealand, and to do that every part of our justice system has to deliver results.  Fines and reparations are an important tool to deal with offenders, but they must be seen as a credible and effective sanction,” says Mr Borrows.

Associate Social Development Minister Chester Borrows today tabled the Government’s response to the Social Services Select Committee inquiry into the identification, rehabilitation and protection of child offenders.

“I share the Committee’s determination to ensure today’s child offenders don’t turn into career criminals and the right steps are taken to get these young people’s lives on track.

“The Committee provided a thoughtful report and the Government has carefully considered its recommendations,” says Mr Borrows.

Associate Justice Minister Chester Borrows today released terms of reference for the Youth Crime Action Plan.

The plan is part of the Government’s efforts to reduce offending by, and victimisation of, children and young people.

Helping the parents of serious young offenders develop the skills and strategies they need to deal with their children is a key step in reducing youth offending, says Associate Social Development Minister Chester Borrows.

Mentoring young people at risk of becoming career criminals is the best way to put them on the right track, says Associate Social Development Minister Chester Borrows.

Mr Borrows today visited Wairarapa based mentoring provider Te Hiringa Ora to congratulate them on their outstanding work, accompanied by Wairarapa MP John Hayes. Te Hiringa Ora are one of the providers who have delivered mentoring for more than 1100 at risk young people under the Fresh Start reforms, introduced in October 2010.

Courts Minister Chester Borrows today opened a temporary criminal court facility on Masterton’s Church Street, to accommodate criminal hearings until the main courthouse is reopened.

“The temporary closure of seven courthouses due to seismic risk has been challenging, both for Courts and for the local community. Throughout it we have been focused on restoring services as quickly as possible, particularly to the priority areas of Christchurch, Dunedin and Masterton,” says Mr Borrows.

In another technological innovation, Courts Minister Chester Borrows today announced changes to allow the filing of Disputes Tribunal applications online, to commence 1 October 2012.

“The Disputes Tribunal is New Zealand’s most accessible forum for dealing with lower level disputes, but until now people have had to fill in forms by hand and post them or deliver them to the nearest District Court. This is not customer friendly, cost-effective, or an efficient way of working,” says Mr Borrows.

Starting today, the next big changes from the Courts and Criminal Matters Bill will reinforce the collection of reparations, and will allow people to contest fines over the internet rather than at the court counter, says Courts Minister Chester Borrows.

“Reparation payments are an effective form of punishment but sometimes reparations orders are made after unreasonable promises to pay, are simply never paid, or take so long to pay the order is worthless. Today’s changes will address this,” says Mr Borrows.