How New Zealand deals with wayward youths is already becoming a hot election topic.
National leader John Key has put it on the agenda, pushing the idea of bootcamp style training camps.
A similar programme operating from the North Shore in Auckland and financed by the government is one of five such programmes in Northland and Auckland.
The programme is proving so successful, the roll is always full.
Nick Hyde, general manager of the Advanced Training Centre programme says that the youth who attend love the structure and the discipline of the course.
"It's often something that they haven't had in their lives be it at school or with family life, and they respond to it really well, " he says.
Hyde runs the centre which was founded seven years ago as an alternative to school.
For many, it is a pathway into the armed forces, for others it's an escape from a downward spiral.
"Some students are brought to us by the local police who believe the student, with a bit of direction, will be able to straighten themselves out," explains Hyde.
And it seems to be working.
After a year on the programme, 17-year-old Dylan Blake just got accepted into the Navy.
"I reckon this course is a pretty big thing in my life right now, it's like anyone that comes here, I reckon they'll change just like that - you change your habits, your lifestyle, everything you do, you just get into it," he says.
Dylan came into the programme with a police record and not much hope. His teachers say they have seen an amazing transformation in him and that he is a natural leader.
The playground may be a car park and the school may be a commercial building, but the classroom is still the number one priority.
English, maths and science are taught every morning. And peers measure their achievements against each other.
"You won't believe the confidence gained through learning their times tables, how to do long division without a calculator, things that stumped them at school. But once they've learned and they're on their way, got their first dot on the board, their confidence grows, there's a smile on their face, they realise they aren't stupid like they've been told, they actually can learn and from there they blossom, " says Hyde.
Student Dylan has only good things to say about his teachers.
"They're not only your teachers, but they're pretty much your best mate as well. They help you, they encourage you, pretty much every moment you need help."
And the teachers love the environment too.
"I absolutely love giving back to kids that were very much like myself, and I think you just need that one role model to point you in the right direction, and that's what these kids need," says teacher Donovan Bickford.
Last year 28 students sat the entrance exam for the armed forces - 27 passed.
Others have gone on to do tertiary education - some have joined the police.
For student Dylan, the future's now just that - a future.
"I reckon my Dad'll be pretty proud when I go into the Navy. "
After which, he says, he wants to become a teacher back here to help others turn their lives around.
