Rotorua Youth Justice Residence under way

A signing ceremony last night between Parekarangi Trust and Child, Youth and Family paves the way for work to start later this year on building a youth justice residence for the Bay of Plenty and Waikato.

Trust representatives including Chairman James Warbrick and senior Child, Youth and Family representatives including Deputy Chief Executive Ray Smith signed the lease agreement at Te Pakira Marae at Whakarewarewa Village.

The lease covers development and use of a ten hectare site off State Highway 30, 12 km south of Rotorua. The residence is a much needed facility which will provide secure accommodation for up to 40 young people who have offended and been sent there by the Courts for rehabilitation and transition back into their communities.

Those young people going to Rotorua Youth Justice Residence will mostly come from the Bay of Plenty and Waikato, and be provided with a range of programmes which help reduce their reoffending and offer them educational, vocational and rehabilitative programmes. Aged between 14 and 17 years, they will stay at the residence from a few weeks to three months.

Commenting James Warbrick said: “The Trust is pleased to offer this lease on our land for this youth justice facility. Not only will this benefit Trust members through the lease agreement and employment and training opportunities, but importantly it will offer rehabilitation and positive learning opportunities for young people who have offended.”

Child, Youth and Family Midlands Regional Director Suse Sligo said: “I am pleased with the support offered by the Trust, and the wider community to have this residence near Rotorua. This will ensure young people from this part of the country are able to remain close to their families and community while they get their lives back on track and address the issues which led to their offending.”

For further information please contact Tracy Buckland, Regional Communications Advisor:

Phone: 07 957 4751
Mobile: 029 6500 462
Email: tracy.buckland003@cyf.govt.nz