The misty Urewera Ranges provided an impressive backdrop for a recent gathering of Tuhoe elders and Corrections staff. Representatives from Corrections custodial and communitybased services were keen to discuss working more closely with the iwi to help the rehabilitation and reintegration of Maori offenders.
The hosts included members of Tuhoe Hauora – a local social services and health provider. Danny Morehu, who is Prison Services Regional Adviser Maori Service Development for Waikato/Central, says the hui was a good chance to meet kanohi ki te kanohi.
“We already have some contact with Tuhoe but we wanted to explore opportunities to increase that involvement.”
The hui heard about tikanga Maori programmes provided in the community and in prisons, the Bi-cultural Therapy Model that combines traditional Maori and western philosophies, and the Kaiwhakamana programme to give kaumatua access to prisoners requiring cultural support.
Tuhoe Hauora kaumatua and mental health practitioner Tame Iti says the dialogue brought some positive surprises.
“There definitely has been a shift in Corrections to care for our whanau who are locked up. There’s a real opportunity there for us to be able to work collaboratively and to have easy access to our whanau in prison.”
Tame says there was also merit in looking at ways to help offenders get in touch with their own culture, tikanga, and kawa.
CPPS Whakatane Service Manager Paula Waetford says it was an excellent opportunity to share information about Corrections with Tuhoe Hauora.
From left Danny Morehu (Regional Advisor Maori Service Development, Waikato/Central), Tame Iti, Paula Waetford (CPPS Service Manager, Whakatane), Ruby Rameka, Taati Pearson, Maria Steens, Huka Williams, Larissa Wharepouri. Also present behind the camera is Te Kaumarua Wharepouri.