Coping without electricity or running water was part of the challenge for 14 offenders taking part in a tikanga Maori programme on Motuhoa Island in Tauranga Harbour.
Five days away from the gadgets of the world proved a trying time for those who participated in the Tu Kotahi programme run by the Ngaiterangi Iwi Incorporated Society. But organisers say by the end of the programme everyone had overcome the obstacles and some wanted to stay on.
Run in conjunction with the Community Probation Service, the programme’s island setting equips participants with life skills they can use in everyday situations.
“For example, participants were given the opportunity to collect kaimoana, which was an area that would enable them to have survival skills and that would benefit their whanau.”
Some talked about passing on their new skills to their tamariki and mokopuna in the future, says Tu Kotahi programme co-ordinator Liz Ngatai. “They now have those skills for life.”
As well as getting back to nature, the group of 14 learned about their whakapapa, waiata, karakia and tikanga Maori. The death of the Maori Queen, Dame Te Atairangikaahu, prompted many questions about the Kingitanga movement and how that came about.
“There was a real interest in all things Maori - and some participants had never had the chance to ask about them or felt whakama,” says Liz.
There was also an anger management component on the programme called the 'Peaceful Warrior' that taught strategies to deal with anger.
“This knowledge learnt on the course allows the participants to go back into their everyday world and have the confidence to ask about and participate in Te Ao Maori in a positive way,” says Liz.
“A female participant, who didn’t know anything about tikanga Maori, returned home excited about the fact that now when her kids come home from school and talk about tikanga she would be confident in understanding tikanga and able to have some input in their korero.”
While the Tu Kotahi programme has had an immediate positive impact on the participants, Ngaiterangi’s role with the participants didn’t end with the five-day programme.
The organisation is providing a range of follow-up services, including counselling, budget advice, home support and social work. It also has a health promotion service working to raise awareness of the drug methamphetamine or ‘P’.
CPS Probation Officer Whareangiangi Pita, who observed the programme on Motuhoa Island, says the services offered are invaluable. “The social services programmes available to participants really help them to get ahead in the world,” says Whareangiangi.
The next Tu Kotahi programme on Motuhoa Island is planned for March, with a new group of participants leaving behind the ‘basics’ of today’s world to learn the valuable lessons of island life.