4 May

A Tikanga Maori programme, which is successfully helping Maori offenders transform their lives, has been running throughout the Nelson/Marlborough area.

Community Probation & Psychological Service (CPPS) Nelson/Marlborough Area Manager Polly Cunningham says the programme was recently run in Takaka after being held in the Marlborough and Picton for the last four years. Other Tikanga Maori programmes have also been held in Motueka.

“Going to different marae has helped us spread awareness of the programme and allowed us to develop stronger links with local communities and iwi across the entire region.”

Currently two Tikanga Maori programmes are held by the programme provider Te Rapuora o te Waiharakeke throughout the Nelson/Marlborough region each year, each attracting around offenders from CPPS. 

A Tikanga Maori programme for women is also being held this month at Wairau marae in Blenheim, which will include several CPPS placements.

Polly says Tikanga Maori programmes have made a real difference for the large majority of participants.

“Some offenders we see have lost their Maori identity, they know little about Maori culture and have no contact with their tribal roots. We get them to understand and have pride in their own origins, which in turn helps them have pride in themselves.

“When they first arrive they don’t want to be here, but after spending four days on the programme they are far more aware of their own culture and are delivering powerful haka and waiata. Many don’t the want the programme to end.

“Many offenders feel a sense of hopelessness and lack adequate support networks. We work closely with the community, in particularly with Te Raptor to try to move them towards a positive sense of identity to help them make positive choices in the future.”

Polly says the difference in the attitudes of offenders at the start and end of the Tikanga Maori programme can be easily seen.

“One local community member who had volunteered their time to help with the cooking at the last programme commented that the offenders came to the powhiri with their heads held low and were reluctant to be there, but when they left they were standing tall with their heads high.”

The skill and commitment from the staff within CPPS and Te Raptor and the support of the community is crucial to the success of these programmes. They do such a great job, Polly says.

 

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