Oranga Tamariki is trialling an extension of the Fast Track rehabilitation programme, targeting some of the country's most troubled youth.
The new model will provide more intensive support for up to 60 of the most serious youth offenders, between the ages of 10 and 13, across Tāmaki Makaurau over two years.
But it's too little, too late for the latest smash and grab victim.
Another brazen, early morning smash and grab, apparently carried out by young offenders. Five boys and girls, believed to be teenagers, forced their way in to a MobileZone store in Christchurch.
"I'm feeling sick to my guts," said Talvinder Singh, MobileZone store owner. "We are a very small business and with the economy at the moment, we are just surviving somehow."
Less than 60 seconds was all it took for Singh's livelihood to come crashing down.
"At least $10,000 worth of goods have been stolen and then the cabinets and glass," Singh said.
"I have seen vision of these offenders uploading live vision of their offending on social media which I will be taking it to the police ... This guy shouldn't be in the community."
It comes as officials in Auckland took steps to once again try to curb the offending.
"What we're trying to do here is reach out to our partners in the community who have better relations than Oranga Tamariki ever has to support them to the solutions," said Oranga Tamariki CEO Chappie Te Kani.
Announcing a more urgent and prioritised Enhanced Fast Track programme with a strong focus on reducing the severity and intensity of the offending behaviour.
"It's $3.5 million over two years which I think is a good investment," said Minister for Children Kelvin Davis. "Making sure these offenders, 60 in total, don't reoffend because when they reoffend we have more victims and the safety of the community is paramount."
While he was unable to commit to a start date, he's confident the new programme will be more effective.
Under the current Fast Track programme, Oranga Tamariki said 77 percent of children referred have not reoffended since.
The shift is expected to build on the continued reduction in the number of children in care by using community relationships to intervene earlier and more effectively.
But it will be some time before its decided if the new programme is rolled out across the country, meaning small businesses will be left picking up the pieces for some time yet.
