Offenders contribute to Rugby World Cup festivities

A group of prisoners from Tongariro/Rangipo Prison have helped rebuild on the site where the All Blacks’ trademark haka
was created.

The work was done in preparation for an official visit by the Springboks to the Opotaka historical site in September.

Tongariro/Rangipo Prison Manager Dennis Goodin says about 10 prisoners from the Maori Focus Unit had worked most days since May at the site on the shores of Lake Rotoaira, near Taupo.

“They cleared a lot of scrub and helped erect buildings on the site which were built and stained with traditional Maori techniques. Not only did the men give back to the community but they have done something meaningful – something to be proud of.”

“For the men it has been a moving experience and they, and their families, have been welcomed back following their release from prison.”

The site is famous as the place where Ngati Toa chief Te Rauparaha composed the Ka Mate haka.

Springboks coach Peter de Villiers is reported as saying the haka had ‘new meaning’ to him after his visit to the historic site.

Community Probation Services’ community work parties were also involved with the project, ensuring the preparations continued over weekends to meet the tight timeframes while Corrections Inmate Employment supplied truck-loads of manuka for the fencing and provided catering for the workers.

“Many of the men didn’t know too much about this place on their back door so they have learnt a lot about the site, the people and the history. Each of the men involved has received a copy of a souvenir Opotaka booklet as a reminder of their involvement in this project,” says Project Manager Te Ngaehe Wanaka.

The Department and individual prisoners will be formally thanked with a letter of acknowledgement from the Tuwharetoa chief Tumu Te Heu Heu with a presentation to take place at the Te Hikoinga Maori Focus Unit. Two of the men who worked on the project and have since been released from prison have taken their whanau to the site. 

The new buildings will be used as places of teaching – including running Tikanga Maori programmes for local men on community based sentences and orders.