New Zealand’s recent experiences with Military Activity Camps under the new youth justice system

This research paper discusses the recent New Zealand experience of Military Activity Camps (MACs) through the implementation of the Children, Young Persons, and Their Families (Youth Courts Jurisdictions and Orders) Amendment Act 2010. The paper will address the fundamental principles of the youth justice system under the Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Act 1989 and how the Amendment Act 2010 has created new possibilities of dealing with New Zealand’s most persistent group of young offenders. It will furthermore address the historic background of boot camps and aims to analyse how effective the introduction of MACs has been so far. Finally it will look at what alternative measures may exist in order to fight youth offending and recidivism.