Fast Track

Operating across South, West, and Central Auckland, Fast Track is designed to provide immediate and effective support for young people at risk of entering the Youth Justice system. At Reconnect Te Ope Pirita, we work collaboratively with a network of government agencies –including Police, Oranga Tamariki, Ministry of Social Development– alongside community organisations such as Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Urban Māori groups, and Marae. Together, we create meaningful pathways for first-time youth offenders ages through to 18-years-old, ensuring they receive the right support to move forward. By focusing on early intervention, practical guidance, and whānau involvement, Fast Track empowers mokopuna and their families to build strong foundations for a brighter future.

About the Programme

Our Approach – Multi-Disciplinary Agency Teams

Through a team-based approach, our youth mentors work within multidisciplinary teams to provide tailored, hands-on guidance. With daily case reviews and management, we assess each young person’s situation and provide them with individualised support designed to break cycles of offending and encourage positive change.

Personalised Mentorship & Support

Each of our mentors works with up to eight young people at a time, adjusting the level of support based on individual needs. This ensures rangatahi receive the right level of assistance, whether it’s intensive one-on-one mentorship or ongoing encouragement to stay on track.

Referral Process

Reconnect Te Ope Pirita mentors work closely with agencies and providers to ensure young people in crisis receive the right support at the right time.

1. Overnight Processing
When a young person is arrested overnight, Police follow a standard process to assess their situation and determine next steps

2. Multi-Agency Discussion
A multi-agency discussion takes place to identify the best provider to support the young person. At this stage, one of our mentors is assigned, ensuring they receive tailored, whānau-centred support that fosters meaningful connections and lasting change.

Enhanced Fast Track

Our Enhanced Fast Track programme is a recently developed initiative designed to meet the growing demand for targeted, wraparound support for high-risk rangatahi and their whānau. Delivered under the Oranga Tamariki Tāmaki Makaurau Specialist Team (Grey Lynn), this programme provides intensive assistance for rangatahi aged 8-17 who face significant behavioural challenges, are at risk of offending, involved in youth justice, or pose risks to themselves or their communities.

 

Through a holistic, family-centered approach, Enhanced Fast Track offers comprehensive support for rangatahi, parents, siblings, and wider whānau. This includes care training, supervision, advocacy, mentoring, and family therapy to strengthen relationships, enhance protective factors, and create lasting positive change.

Our programme can support up to six families at a time, offering sustained assistance for as long as needed to ensure meaningful outcomes. By working alongside whānau, community networks, and professional services, we help rangatahi build resilience, navigate challenges, and move towards a safer, more stable future.

Referral Information

Access to the Enhanced Fast Track programme is available only through referrals from Oranga Tamariki’s Tāmaki Makaurau Specialist Teams. Rangatahi must be referred by a Site Manager from the Grey Lynn Oranga Tamariki office to receive support through this initiative.