Judges will be able to send the most serious youth offenders to an academy at Waiouru training camp for up to a year, Justice Minister Amy Adams has announced. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Putting young offenders into bootcamp will give them 'a sense of purpose'

Author: Newstalk ZB Staff,
Publish Date: Mon, 14 Aug 2017, 7:41AM

The head of New Zealand's military-style high school believes putting kids into boot-camp can give them a sense of pride.

National wants to send the country's worst young offenders to an army boot camp, but critics say this will do little to prevent re-offending.

But Vanguard Military School CEO Nick Hyde told Rachel Smalley this style of discipline can make huge advances.

"Most of these kids have their own dreams, like becoming a mechanic or something, but they get a disconnect because maybe they're not doing well at school, or maybe they've already gotten in trouble with the police.

"They see no hope, and I think that's what you've got to bring back."

Mr Hyde said you can't save everyone - but changing a few lives has a widespread effect.

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