$1.6m facelift for Rotorua's Te Maioha youth justice residence

Oranga Tamariki chief executive Grainne Moss admires some of the new artwork in Te Maioha. Photo/Supplied

The Te Maioha o Parekarangi youth justice residence on the outskirts of Rotorua has received a $1.6 million facelift as part of a nationwide programme to improve the facilities.

This is the first major upgrade to the facility since it opened in 2010 and Oranga Tamariki chief executive Grainne Moss said it's now a "dynamic" space to house youth.

"It's received a major facelift. There is more natural lighting, better acoustics and it's a graffiti free environment."

Moss said the 30 residents in the facility had played a part in designing elements of the new space.

"It's heartening to hear how much the young people enjoyed being part of the project.

"This space is about helping to realise their potential."

She said showing the boys they care about the space they live in goes a long way to showing they care about them.

"It's inspiring for the staff to keep doing the great work they do every day."

Some of the facilities' spaces have been reconfigured to allow better flow of light and to make the space feel more like a home.

The day room at Te Maioha before and after its facelift. Photo/Supplied

Additions of murals, felt walls (which soften acoustics) and decorative windows were all part of the boys' designs.

"Nearly every part of Te Maioha is looking different," Moss said.

"It's much more homely, more open and more dynamic."

Moss said because the young people were so engaged in the process the building should stay looking like it is now.

"It's about getting the buy-in from the boys that having this good space is good for them."

A youth justice facility in Auckland and Christchurch were the next to see upgrades which Moss said would be completed by the end of the year.

One of the bedrooms before and after the upgrades. Photo/Supplied

Minister of Children Tracey Martin visited Rotorua to celebrate the first youth justice residence getting a "graffiti-free environment upgrade".

"We can all be proud of the success and work that has gone into this project and I want to acknowledge the talented work and effort of all who have contributed towards creating this fantastic environment.

"It is important that youth justice residences enable our young people to achieve while engaged in therapy and programmes to support their transitions to their communities and whānau."

Martin said the launch demonstrated that Oranga Tamariki was committed to leading practice that is child-centred, trauma informed and effective for Māori as well as other cultures.

"I'd like to thank the staff at Te Maioha, who everyday work to do an incredibly important job of supporting and seeing to the needs of our young people who come into residence and empowering them to make changes."