New Whānau Ora approach to prisons

Published date26 April 2021
Both are part of the Māori Pathways programme and have been co-designed with Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi.

The Kaiarataki Navigator Workforce is part of Paiheretria te Muka Tāngata (Paiheretia) and aims to improve whānau wellbeing by building on and supporting whānau aspirations using a Whānau Ora approach. In addition this service seeks to reduce the re-offending of tāne Māori under 30 years. The Tēnei au approach encompasses Ngakau Ora (Māori approach to healing trauma), Kaupapa Māori Wānanga and Tikanga a Iwi (to embrace Kahungunutanga in a way that is transformational and therapeutic) within the high security prison environment.

Paiheretia is jointly led by Te Puni Kōkiri, the Department of Corrections (Ara Poutama Aotearoa) and the Ministry of Social Development, in partnership with Māori. It is a key element of the $98 million Māori Pathway four-year initiative to shift the corrections system using kaupapa Māori and whānau-centred approaches.

The Paiheretia initiative is part of extending the Whānau Ora approach into other agencies. It acknowledges the importance of working alongside both the individual and their whānau to improve outcomes for Māori. Kaiarataki Navigators will play a critical role as advocates and guides for whānau during their corrections system journey. These initiatives will bring positive changes for people. The navigators are integral to providing the holistic support which our whānau need.

Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Inc chief executive Chrissie Hape says, “If whānau are strong, then iwi are strong. Our role is...

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