Meet the team: (left to right) Manager Maori and Pacific Policy Uarnie More, Policy Adviser Jason Smith,
Executive Assistance Erena Male, Consultant Cath Nesus, and Policy Advisers Terina Cowan and Nicola Hikaka
MAORI and Pacific Policy has received a boost with the recent appointment of Uarnie More to Manager Maori and Pacific Policy.
Uarnie, who was appointed to the position in June, joined Corrections almost seven years ago. She spent the first three years in Cultural Perspectives (later Treaty Relationships), before moving into Maori and Pacific Policy as a Policy Adviser in 2003.
“The art of Maori policy is providing a full set of options for decision makers to consider, including options that we know our Maori colleagues, whanau, hapu or iwi wouldn’t necessarily agree with. The craft of Maori policy is about making the advantages and disadvantages of those options very clear to decision-makers, especially impacts on Maori stakeholders such as offenders, staff and tangata whenua. It can be a challenging environment.”
In 2005, Uarnie was awarded a Chief Executive’s scholarship and completed an undergraduate Bachelor of Commerce and Administration after seven years part-time study, while working full-time and raising a family.
Hard work isn’t something that fazes Uarnie. With great support from Executive Assistant Erena Male and Consultant Cath Nesus, Maori and Pacific Policy has been undergoing some big changes with the recent appointment of three new policy advisers and the imminent return of a former team member, Russell Caldwell, as a principal adviser.
“I’m here for the long haul. I’m very lucky to have such a fantastic team and we’re committed to making positive changes across the board,” says Uarnie.
Uarnie says her team’s immediate focus is on building stronger relationships with frontline staff and other key stakeholder groups.
“It’s important that the team can pick up the phone and ask questions or seek advice and guidance from our key stakeholders or vice versa,” she says.
Her priority for this year’s work plan is the development of Maori and Pacific strategies to support the Strategic Business Plan 2008-2013.
Maori and Pacific Policy are also assisting the wider Policy, Strategy and Research team to manage a series of evaluations of the Department’s culturally targeted programmes and services over the 2006-2009 period.
And her long term goals for Maori and Pacific Policy? Simple.
“I look forward to the day that I’m made redundant because there aren’t enough Maori or Pacific offenders in the corrections system.”
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