Timeframes for youth justice family group conferences
Updated: 29 April 2026
The timeframes for convening and holding youth justice family group conferences are directed under section 249 of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989. This section outlines the maximum times allowed under law. There are different times set out for the convening and holding phases of the family group conference.
Convening
Convening refers to the time taken to plan and prepare for the family group conference and each referral or direction has a specific 'convening time' as outlined in the table below.
Convening times start as follows:
| s247(a) | The day after the date on which the report under section 18(3) is received by the youth justice coordinator (effectively this means the day after the coordinator meets with Police to discuss the report). |
| s247(b) | The day after the date on which the section 245 consultation is completed. Note that the consultation may not be completed in one meeting, but it is important that both the coordinator and the attending police officer agree to continue and complete the consultation at a later date. This should be casenoted in CYRAS. |
| s247(c) | The day after the date on which the court made the order under section 238(1)(d) or (e) for the detention of the rangatahi. |
| s247(d) | The day after the date on which the court has directed the family group conference. |
| s247(d) (in custody) |
The day after the date on which the court made the order under section 238(1)(d) or (e) for the detention of the rangatahi. |
| s247(e) | The day after the date on which the court found the charge against the rangatahi to be proved. |
Holding
The date on which the family group conference is to be held is specified when a family group conference is convened.
The holding time takes effect from the day on which the date for the conference is fixed, not from the expiry of the maximum convening time.
It is not required to use the maximum holding times available to the family group conference as the conference can be held at any time up to and including the last legal date for holding.
| Section | Convening time | Holding time | Details |
| 247(a) | 21 days | 1 month |
Child offender For tamariki who offend (aged over 10 and under 14) and who, pursuant to section 18(3), are believed to be in need of care and protection under section 14(1)(e) due to the level of their offending. |
| 247(b) | 21 days | 1 month |
Intention to Charge (also referred to as a 'Police Referral') For rangatahi who are alleged to have committed an offence and for whom Police believe a prosecution is required in the public interest. The family group conference may still resolve the matters informally without recourse to the Youth Court. |
| 247(c) | 7 days | 7 days |
Custody after denial Directed for rangatahi who deny the offence and who are held in custody under section 238(1)(d) and (e). They are held to consider the continued custody or otherwise of the rangatahi pending a defended hearing. |
| 247(d) | 14 days | 7 days |
Direction by court These are directed for rangatahi who do not deny offences in the Youth Court and who are not in custody under section 238(1)(d) and (e). |
| 247(d) (in custody) |
7 days | 7 days |
Direction by court These are directed for rangatahi (and tamariki as well, as they can be remanded under section 238(1)(d) but not (e)) who do not deny offences or make no plea in the Youth Court and who are held in custody under section 238(1)(d) and (e). These family group conferences can be held in 2 parts and can prioritise custody considerations of te tamaiti or rangatahi. When this occurs, the 2nd part of the conference can then be adjourned to a later date to address the offending and oranga concerns and achieve restorative justice when additional information can be collected to support the family group conference. Note that, if te tamaiti or rangatahi denies the alleged offences in the family group conference, the family group conference can still consider bail or custody issues. |
| 247(e) | 14 days | 1 month |
Proof of charge These are directed for rangatahi when an offence is proven against them in a defended hearing in the Youth Court. |
| 281B | No specific timeframe | No specific timeframe |
These can be directed by the Youth Court at any time if the court considers that a family group conference is necessary or desirable. The court will direct the matters to be considered by the family group conference. |
Other referrals to a youth justice coordinator
| s70(3)(a) | No specific timeframe | From Family Court – family group conference for a tamaiti who has offended and for whom a section 67 application has been made without a family group conference being held. |
| s270(1A)(a) | No specific timeframe | From social worker or approved services – certain conditions apply. |
| s280(A)(5) | No specific timeframe | From Youth Court – family group conference to consider if the making of a section 67 declaration for 12 or 13 year old would serve the public interest more than continuing in Youth Court. |
| s281(2) | Must be convened within 14 days of direction | Family group conference to be held when rangatahi summonsed under section 295 or before certain orders cancelled. |
| s281B | No specific timeframe | These can be directed by the Youth Court at any time if the court considers that a family group conference is necessary or desirable. The court will direct the matters to be considered by the family group conference. |
Special reasons for delay – section 249(6) of the Act
A youth justice family group conference can be held outside of its holding times if there are special reasons for doing so.