Rooftop protest sparks debate about youth justice and treatment of young offenders

13 youths climbed atop a youth justice facility in South Auckland on Monday night – demanding fast food, cigarettes, and a getaway car.

The group made it on to the top of the Korowai Manaaki facility in Wiri just after 6.30 that night. By 9am the next day, just four remained. They came down just before noon.

It’s reminiscent of an incident at the same facility last year – when groups of young people climbed onto the roof. A month later, a trio of teens did it again – and in June, another group staged a rooftop standoff at a facility near Christchurch.

But, who exactly are these unruly youths – and are we doing the best to care for them?

Today on The Front Page, youth worker and found of Kick Back youth development  Aaron Hendry joins us to discuss these incidents.

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