Earning NZQA credits in horticulture with support from a dedicated instructor is giving men at Northland Region Corrections Facility (NRCF) hopes of a future outside prison.
NRCF Industries Instructor Johan Bosch runs the site’s Papa Oranga horticultural programme and native nursery.
He has led the programme, which requires 16 to 20 workers and learners, for the past four years, taking over from previous provider NorthTech.
The men study at different levels, from sowing seeds to distributing plants to customers. This includes Level 2, Level 2 Advanced, Level 2 Landscape, Levels 3 and 4.
"As the men work towards qualifications in horticulture, they grow produce such as pumpkins, watermelons, corn, bananas, grapes, and plums, with the bulk of the fresh produce being donated to local Northland foodbanks, including Women’s Refuge,” says Johan.
"I am incredibly proud of their mahi in the garden and nursery. The men are self-motivated; they look after their own jobs, their own tools, and take care of what they need to do. They appreciate what we’re doing here in this unit.
“We cater for a range of educational experience right up to degree students with the potential for people to own their own business or seek employment in horticulture and nursery production.”
Johan says a couple of Papa Oranga graduates have started their own businesses since their release from prison. “One is propagating native seeds in the Whangārei area, and another is now general manager of an established nursery in Kaitāia."
Another aspect of Papa Oranga is supporting community regeneration projects. The nursery recently reached its target of half a million native trees grown and gifted back to the community for these projects.
Deputy General Manager Site Pathways Donna Tūkāriri says the programme clearly delivers tangible outcomes for people in prison.
“These are seen in improved wellbeing, the achievement of qualifications and meaningful employment pathways, and positive, supportive relationships that uplift dignity and mana,” says Donna.