Policy Development welcomed two managers for its Operational Policy and Maori and Pacific Policy teams in the new year.
Raj Krishnan arrived in mid-February to head the Operational Policy team which develops policy for delivering Corrections’ services. Raj comes from ACC where he has worked in both strategic and operational policy.
Raj says he is looking forward to the work ahead.
“Corrections is very focused in terms of its core business. I’m attracted to the kinds of interesting policy issues Corrections’ work involves and impressed by the clarity about what Corrections wants to achieve.”
The focus for his team’s work is around prisoner employment, education, training, and reintegration.
Harry Waaka arrived in January to head the Maori and Pacific Policy team, which looks at ways to improve effectiveness for Maori and Pacific peoples.
Harry comes from Te Puni Kokiri where he headed the Maori Language and then the Economic Opportunties teams. He has worked in a variety of jobs before then, including teacher, electronics engineer, stock trader, and diplomat.
He says Corrections has one of the few policy teams totally focused on Maori issues and sees his work for Corrections as a continuation of his work at Te Puni Kokiri.
“We’re working for positive outcomes for Maori society and the Maori economy. “With good links into all of Corrections’ groups and services we have a positive influence on outcomes for Maori offenders and for Maori communities.”
In the year ahead the team will be focused on operational policy, implementing the Maori strategy launched in 2003, implementing the Pacific strategy launched last year, and developing operational requirements for the Pacific Focus Unit planned for the Spring Hill Corrections Facility.
Got a story for Corrections News or want to request the print edition?
Email commdesk@corrections.govt.nz or phone (04) 460 3365.
ISSN 1178-8453