Iwi justice panels in Counties Manukau are struggling to get whānau to take part, with completion rates below 20 percent.
Te Pae Oranga, or iwi justice panels, take place outside of court, and are for offenders who've committed a crime with a maximum penalty of six months' imprisonment or less.
Offenders must turn up to the panel, and then complete tasks they set in conjunction with the panel - which can include a verbal or written apology to the victim, drug and alcohol counselling or restitution.
Only 18 percent of Māori going through the panels in Counties Manukau show up and complete the work.
Papakura marae runs a Te Pae Oranga Panel in the region and its marae manager Tony Kake told reporter Meriana Johnsen that whānau aren't getting onboard.
