Also known as the Mason report. Vol.1: Review of the Children, Young Persons and their Families Act, 1989 : report of the Ministerial Review Team to the Minister of Social Welfare. Vol. 2: The Government's response to the Report of the Ministerial Review Team.

This is the report of the Ministerial Review of the Children, Young Persons and their Families Act 1989 (New Zealand). The review was undertaken in the context of the Act, which made a serious attempt to take into account Maori and Pacific cultural perspectives, being subject to considerable criticism relating to the purportedly 'soft options' it contained. The review was focused on the extent to which the policies, procedures and practices of the Department of Social Welfare, the Police and other agencies acting under the Children, Young Persons and their Families Act 1989 conform to the requirements of the Act, are consistent with the principles of the Act and give good effect to the objects of the Act. The report is based on wide consultation and over 500 submissions. Numerous recommendations are made, widely directed. Overall, the Review team found the Act to be innovative and worthwhile, but were unequivocal that if the Act is not generously supported in terms of personnel and funding it will fail. The authors note that while this may appear expensive the cost of not doing so is even higher. Volume two contains government decisions on what action is to be taken on each of the review teams' recommendations.