18 February 2009
Five taonga made by prisoners at Hawkes Bay Regional Prison were today formally presented to DOVE, an anti-violence and counselling organisation.
The taonga were carved by prisoners in the Māori Focus Unit (MFU) at the prison and will be displayed in DOVE’s Napier office.
“One of the DOVE counsellors works with a number of men in and out of prison and she asked about the possibilities of some of our men doing some carvings for their recently opened office,” says Hawkes Bay Regional Prison Manager George Massingham.
The prisoners who completed the whakairo also provided a whakapapa which provides the meaning to what is shown in each carving.
One of the carvings ‘Te Ahuru Mowai’ depicts Tane on one side of a dove and Wahine on the other to symbolise the bringing together and reconciliation of damage done to relationships by negative influences such as violence.
Cultural programmes, such as these carving sessions, have shown success in changing Māori offenders’ attitudes and behaviours, promoting pro-social lifestyle changes, and increasing their receptiveness to other treatment programmes.
“The MFU programme shows participants how their culture can positively influence themselves, their families and their communities,” says Mr Massingham.
“Research shows that reconnecting Māori offenders with their culture increases their chances of successfully reintegrating back into the community when they are released from prison.”
Other classes and activities available in the MFUs include the more structured Māori Therapeutic Programme (MTP), Mau Rako (Taiaha), as well as others such as Tikanga Kawa, Taonga Puoru (Maori Music and instruments) and building projects.
ENDS
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