A little motivation from Maori actor and Hollywood star Cliff Curtis was an added bonus for offenders taking part in a Tīkanga Māori Programme in Rotorua recently.
Programme provider Mita Mohi and his family have been delivering programmes in prisons and the community for more than 30 years.
The most recent programme at Awahou Marae, Rotorua, provided a kind of homecoming for Mita’s past pupil Cliff Curtis.
“I have known Cliff Curtis since he was 10 years old when he was put through my Mau Rakau taiaha programme on Mokoia Island. He is like a son to me now and whenever he is back in New Zealand he will help me out whenever he can at programmes that I run,” says Mita.
“The offenders are usually gob-smacked when they see him. But they certainly sit up and listen and take in all the advice Cliff gives.”
As well as meeting the actor, Mita says the participants experienced tīkanga first hand. “Many have lost or never known where they’re from. We are here to help them re-identify.”
The tīkanga programme was held over six days spread out across two weeks. Seven of the eight who started proudly graduated surrounded by their whānau.
During the six-day stay at the marae, male participants learnt taiaha and the two female participants learnt how to use patu. Sessions on the kaupapa of the marae and Māori history were also incorporated into the programme to help the participants embrace their culture.
Mita and his whanau also escorted the group to Mokoia Island, where Mita has trained more than 11,000 people in Mau Rakau Taiaha over the years.
Probation Officer Paula Waetford, who acts as liaison for Rotorua Tīkanga Programmes, says Mita’s programme has definitely helped offenders and gives them skills to make more informed, positive decisions in the future.
“Offenders were able to experience Māori culture and understand a little more about tīkanga,” says Paula.
“The programme motivates offenders to reconnect with their culture and to be enthusiastic about it, which should work positively in reducing the re-offending rate.”
Mita is well-known throughout restorative justice circles for providing programmes through prisons, police and CPS.
“I’ve always enjoyed my work and in my time running these programmes I have never had any incidents.”
“One of my most memorable moments was at Mokoia Island when we had a gang member burn his patch on the open fire. It’s things like this that makes it all worthwhile.”
Mita recognises he cannot carry on this work forever but hopes his five daughters, son, and mokopuna will carry on his legacy. “There is an old saying: ‘When a fern frond reaches maturity another takes its place.’ And that’s what I’m hoping my children will do.”
Mita Mohi has been delivering programmes for more than 30 years.