Family Group Conferences for youth offending
1989–ongoing
Verified 21 May 2026 · Data dated 21 May 2026
Fresh · 8d ago
Since 1989, most youth justice cases in New Zealand have been diverted from court to Family Group Conferences — facilitated meetings of the young person, family, victim, and police that produce an agreed plan including reparation, apology, and community work.
Outcomes
Youth imprisonment numbers have been roughly halved since the early 1990s. The model has influenced restorative justice reforms across Australia, parts of Canada, and Northern Ireland.
Sources
Last verified 21 May 2026. This is editorial; we hand-curate this section. Spotted an error? Submit a correction.