'Close knit society' helps youth schemes

Youth justice in Manawatu has been praised as world renowned by a pair of visiting Scots during their month-long fact-finding mission throughout the lower North Island.

Glasgow residents Neil MacDougall, a community constable, and Marie Gannon, a youth justice worker for Glasgow City Council, are part of a five-member team on a Rotary-funded group study exchange to New Zealand.

Accompanied by senior constables Scott Mackenzie and John Samuela, the pair visited youth services and organisations with youth-orientated schemes in Feilding on Thursday.

Manchester House, Te Manawa Services and the Feilding & Districts Youth Board were among the places visited.

Ms Gannon said she was impressed with how the relationships between police, youth workers and young people had a positive effect on offending rates. "What we've noticed is probably what New Zealand's internationally renowned for – the restorative work."

Multi-agency youth schemes, such as Rock On Initiative, appeared to be helped by the close knit nature of New Zealand society, she said.

"The sense of community in New Zealand is very strong, not just in Feilding, but in the whole of New Zealand."

Mr MacDougall, who works in the small town of Kirkintilloch, said youth crime was the same in both countries, but the tools available to deal with it were different."

While Scotland has an act similar to New Zealand's Children, Young Persons and their Families Act, it had not been in practice as long, he said.

"It means you've had 20 years of working with this law, which is in its infancy at home.

"It's been around for two or three years."

The pair were to observe a real family group conference, a system not used in Scotland, yesterday.

Mr MacDougall hoped to implement at home some of what he had seen in New Zealand.

A powhiri for 250 rotarians, including Mr MacDougall and Ms Gannon, was held at Hato Paora College on Thursday, which has recently started the Adopt a Cop scheme with Feilding police.

Feilding Rotary club member Russell Cameron said a four-person group from New Zealand was sent to Scotland on a similar trip late last year.

- © Fairfax NZ News