Iwi to lead Kaiarataki navigator workforce that supports whānau in Corrections system
Government Ministers have announced a new Kaiarataki Navigator Workforce and Tēnei u approach to support whānau connected to the Corrections system. 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.
Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Inc Chief Executive, Chrissie Hape said these initiatives will bring positive changes for people.
"The navigators are integral to providing the holistic support which our whānau need. If whānau are strong, then Iwi are strong. Our role is to support and empower the voice of whānau so they can build and strengthen themselves.
"Our Mamas and Tamariki have aspirations but struggle because they are not provided the right support. Being the commissioner of the Kaiarataki service means iwi can ensure that the support is there.”
Minister of Corrections, Hon Kelvin Davis says the navigators are part of a wider change within the corrections system.
“We have acknowledged that our system has not worked for Māori and we are developing new approaches to address that for the long-term. Building closer partnerships with iwi, hapū and whānau Māori will help reduce reoffending and that is good for us all.”
Whānau Ora Minister Peeni Henare said whānau sharing their experience of prison has played a crucial part in ensuring efforts are focused in the right places. “We know our most positive changes come through people, not systems, and navigators are key to providing the right package of support.
“This is part of extending the Whānau Ora approach into other agencies and working alongside the individual and their whānau to improve outcomes for Māori,” Henare said.
Hawke’s Bay will be the first correctional facility to run the three-year Paiheretia pilot and this will be followed by Northland next year. These pilots will inform new ways of working for other regions and agencies.
