Unlocking the potential

Ahurewa is a new magazine produced quarterly by the Department of Corrections’ Māori Services Team. Ahurewa means ‘unlocking the potential.’ The potential refers not only to offenders, but also their communities.

This magazine is about highlighting individuals, groups and organisations who are interested in and concerned about what is happening to some of our young people - our haututu, and indeed are committed to doing something about it. In the next few issues, there will be numerous examples of these people, and we want to acknowledge them for what they really are – absolute gems!

Even those who have gone off the track but have ‘seen the light’, have an opportunity to have their say. This magazine is about promoting the positives in our communities, but also about being upfront, and accepting that we as Māori have some issues to confront, and now!

We are familiar with media focussing on the negative aspects of society cleverly drawing links to Māori – eg. ‘Police are looking for a part-Māori…’ We constantly hear that Māori are over-represented in all of the socially deprived areas. ‘Māori make up more than half the prison population’. But did you also know that at 1 June last year, 95.4 per cent of Māori over the age of 17 were not serving any sentences managed by Corrections. So, essentially we are only talking about a very small group who offend… and offend… and offend.

This surely paints a picture of hope in terms of who we are as a people. Contrary to what the media would have us believe, Māori ARE achieving, Māori ARE leading and we ARE making vast contributions in the community on a regular basis.

Māori have shown time and time again they can mobilise when they put their minds, and more importantly hearts, to it. The Kingitanga, NZ Māori Wardens Movement, Māori Women’s Welfare League, Māori TV, and of course the kōhanga, kura kaupapa and wānanga regimes all serve to support our capabilities.

There is no denying that this Department has to up its game for Māori, but unless we ourselves start collectively taking responsibility to ‘unlock the potential’ of our haututu, we will inevitably be pushing it uphill. And my fear will be that in my childrens’ mokos’ generation (and that’s not too far off) the percentage of the Māori population within the Corrections system, could conceivably have blossomed out of control.

Finally it is appropriate to refer to the words of our Kaumatua Des Ripi, “Kahore tetahi o tatou. Taea te mahi. Nga mahi e taea e tatou katoa.” – not one of us can do the work as well as all of us working together.

Jon Royal
Māori Services Manager

Turuki, turuki paneke paneke
Turuki, turuki paneke paneke
hara mai te toki
Haumi e, hui e, Taiki e
Haere mai, haere mai, e taku manu
Tau mai e taku manu.
Powhiritia te taonga nei Ahurewa,
Ko ia te waiora hei kawe,
nga whitiwhiti korero,
Me nga Whakaaro ataahua o
nga rohe, takiwa,
Ko tatou te huruhuru ka rere te taonga nei,
Tena Koutou, Tena Koutou Tena Koutou Katoa

This proverb (whakatauki) speaks of impediment
and through karakia bonds are severed
to unveil the full potential
Welcome, welcome my bird
Set yourself down my bird
Let’s welcome this treasure Ahurewa
The living waters will convey
good news, and success stories,
and those positive initiatives in
our regions and communities
We are the resource that will enable this taonga to fly.
Greetings to you, greetings to you, greetings to you all