In the second part of our Newshub investigation into young criminals, we look at whether it's time to review the laws they're subject to.
Some are hardened criminals by their mid-teens, but under the age of 14 they can only be prosecuted for a small number of serious offences.
One young lawbreaker, Whetu, says he could get into a car in less than 15 seconds.
"It's easier than writing for me; to steal a car is easy," he says.
These days he's resisting the thieving urge -- just a gentle touch as he wanders past.
But the stealing and breaking into houses started at just 12 years old.
"It was an everyday thing, so I would steal a car every day," he says.
Whetu says he knows it was wrong and stupid, and he hasn't stolen anything in more than a year.
"I usually get itchy feet and itchy fingers, but now I haven't had those for ages," he says. "And I've got too much to lose."
It's a different game now he's 17 -- adult court and adult consequences of prison.
Criminologist Greg Newbold says young offenders know they can only be prosecuted for a small number of crimes or will be dealt with in youth court, and it's time to talk about reviewing the law.
"A lot of these kids are street-wise by the age of 10 and they know they can't be touched until the age of 17," he says. "[It's thinking that] affects their mentality and gives them a feeling of immunity from police, and there's an argument for this situation to be remedied."
Whetu can't say if tougher treatment would have stopped his law-breaking earlier, but help from the police and other agencies means he's got another focus.
His big dream is a car -- one he's paid for himself.
Newshub.
