The Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Courts have been operating at Waitakere District Court and Auckland District Court since 2012.

They're a pilot programme designed to supervise and rehabilitate people whose criminal offending has been driven by their alcohol and drug dependency.

In January next year a conference is being held to discuss the progress of the AODT Courts. This follows indications from the Minster of Justice, Andrew Little that these therepeutic courts could be rolled out throughout New Zealand.

Recently, RNZ Senior Journalist, Teresa Cowie produced an extensive radio documentary on the Alcohol and Other Drugs Treatment Court. You can access that documentary here.