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."

 

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