The South Island's first Rangatahi Court has been established in Christchurch, with the Government planning to monitor progress before considering expanding elsewhere in Te Wai Pounamu.
Rangatahi courts are an alternative to youth court, which are held on marae during hearings following Maori protocols.
The first court was set up in Gisborne in 2008, and that has grown to 10 operating in the North Island.
Courts Minister Chester Borrows said Rangatahi courts seemed to be working well but the
Government needed to process the data from existing cases before expanding in Te Wai Pounamu.
He said 860 young people had appeared before Rangatahi courts, and he hoped to look at the information gathered within the next year.
