Youth gangs in Counties Manukau New Zealand

YOUTH GANGS IN NEW ZEALAND
(ACTION PLAN FOR COUNTIES MANUKAU AND OTAHUHU YOUTH)


New Zealand with a population of nearly 5 million people, has many ethnic groups living there. In 1971, most New Zealanders had European heritage. Now 30 percent are Maori, Pacific Islanders and Asian.

Nearly every corner of New Zealand, there is always a problem with young people. Some sniffing petrol, drugs, alcohol or involved in gang activities.

Youth gangs have existed in New Zealand for generations. But in the last two years, youth gangs have hit the headlines in a big way. There was increased gang activity in the South Auckland area in 2006, and the government has decided to find out what was really behind the violence so that measures could be taken to help young people and families.

In September 2006, Social Development Minister David Benson-Pope has announced a cross-government Action Plan to improve outcomes for young people and reduce youth offending in Counties Manukau and Otahuhu.

Research that was done by Ministry of Social Development in 2006, shows that a range of factors is driving youth gang membership in South Auckland, including economic, parenting, peer pressure and disengaging issues.

To acknowledge that there is a problem with youth gangs in South Auckland, the Auckland Youth Support Network group has developed the 26-point Action Plan.
With the help from the Minister of Education, Justice Social Development and Police, and Counties of Manukau District Health Board, the Network will work with local groups to implement the plan.