NCJ Number
234277
Date Published
November 2010
Length
50 pages
Annotation
This report presents the proceedings of the "wananga" held in New Zealand for the purpose of sharing lessons from Maori designed, developed, and delivered initiatives with policy analysts and others working to address the causes of crime and the over-representation of Maori in the criminal justice system.
Abstract
The format planned for the day was for the providers of justice-related initiatives funded by Te Puni Kokiri (a Maori advocacy group) for the purpose of highlighting the key elements of their service model and share key principles with the government policy analysts present. One program described focuses on Maori students attending Taita College. The program was developed as a response to concern about the number of disciplinary issues the college was having with Maori students, 50 percent of whom were from gang-associated families. The intervention focused on increasing the involvement of Maori students in school social activities in order to increase their sense of belonging and emphasize the interaction of education with the strengthening of family life. There has been a decline in exclusions and expulsions of Maori students over the last 3 years. A second program is a Maori-run women's refuge that focuses on developing independence among Maori women in abusive intimate relationships. Another program designed and operated under Maori leadership offers a Recidivist Offenders Program for men who have been convicted repeatedly for family-violence offenses. Men involved in the program learn about reducing the violent behavior and breaking the cycle of violence. The Consultancy Advocacy & Research Trust focuses on "hard-to-reach" elements of Maori communities, such as youth gangs. Program staff works with the police, local government, and health and social agencies in establishing dialog with gang members and conducting mediation to resolve conflicts. Other programs described focus on some aspect of Maori life deemed to foster criminal behavior. Appended listing of organizations and individuals in attendance