A youth court system specifically designed to get young Maori offenders back on the straight and narrow is being tried out in Christchurch.

A new Rangatahi Court has been established at Nga Hau e Wha Marae.

Courts Minister Chester Borrows insists we are not heading towards some kind of dual criminal justice system.

He says this is simply the Youth Court operating on a marae, rather than in a courthouse, where youths are held to account by extended family members.

"68 per cent of our young people who are incarcerated in this country are Maori, but they're only 12 per cent of the population.

"We need to address that specifically or we're not doing a very good job for any of us."

The initiative began in Gisborne in 2008, and is already operating in much of the North Island.

Mr Borrows says Rangatahi Courts operate within the existing system.

The difference is offenders can't get away with standing and staring at their boots during a hearing.

"You've got all your nannys and your uncles sitting around the walls there, having a listen as well.

"Young people are held much more to account, and it seems to be working much better for those young people and their families."

Mr Borrows says for young Maori who offend, helping to reconnect them with their iwi, hapu and marae community can be a powerful tool.

He says there are signs youths going through Rangatahi Courts don't re-offend as often or as severely as those in regular youth courts.