11 April, 2003
Pacific Community leaders met today with prison management, staff and inmates at Waikeria prison.
Today's So'otago aho was a part of the Department's Fautua Pasefika initiative.
Events focused on current and planned initiatives available to Pacific inmates as well as discussing how the wider Pacific community can become involved in initiatives for Pacific inmates. Highlights of the day included Hawaiian, Tongan, Fijian, Cook Island and Samoan tauluga cultural presentations by inmates.
Lautafi Selafi Purcell, Principal Policy Adviser (Pacific) at the Department of Corrections commented that the day's theme, like that of the Pacific Strategy, was based on a Pacific proverb.
"'Bail the canoe or our journey will not reach its destination' – this proverb epitomises the spirit of cooperation and working together to achieve a common goal for the benefit of all. In Pacific families every member of the family has a responsibility for the well-being of others, that spirit should be embraced and enhanced in regard to those who have offended."
The Fautua Pasefika Policy, an initiative of the Department's Pacific Strategy, will enable Pacific community leaders greater and easier access to prisons and Pacific inmates. In addition, these leaders will be able to advocate on behalf of the community to the Department and Minister of Corrections on any issues affecting Pacific inmates. The Pacific Strategy is the Department's first strategic plan developed for Pacific Peoples and shows the Department's commitment to reducing re-offending by Pacific offenders.