Sergeant Tony Tamatea and Ella Horne from Te Pae Oranga.
Do you need food? Would counselling, anger management, budgeting help, a driver’s license, defensive driving course or employment support make a difference?
These are just some questions being raised at a justice programme which has helped thousands of whānau avoid a criminal conviction – and get back on the straight and narrow.
Te Pae Oranga is a police and iwi/Māori initiative that deals with low-level crime and uses tikanga to try and understand why participants broke the law in the first place.
Earlier this month at Ngāi Te Rangi, the only provider in the Western Bay of Plenty, six people were scheduled to go before the community panel on one day.
Some looked at the ground. Others fidgeted and clasp their hands. Eyes darted about the room.
The setting was informal with chairs around a table.
Kāumatua and former JP Kerewai Wanakore was chairing the meeting alongside fellow panellists Tangihaere Nathan, police liaison officer Sergeant Tony Tamatea and police supported resolutions co-ordinator Glen Morrison.
Misdeeds could include driving offences, drugs, assault, theft, shoplifting and more.
After an opening karakia, introductions and the summary of facts, participants were encouraged to explain their wrongdoings – and own it. They’re asked about their life and their feelings.
For some their behaviour was out of character or a lapse of attention or clarity. For others the spiral is much deeper.
Victims were also given a voice.
The cost of living and poverty has had a big impact on crime, Ngāi Te Rangi Te Pae Oranga facilitator James Te Moana said, and some people were “driven to desperate acts”.
“A lot face impossible choices, stealing to put food on the table or fuel drug addictions which can lead to family harm and violence. The circle of poverty, crime and pain is tightly wound, often reinforced by shame and pride that make it hard to ask for help.”
He’s not excusing the behaviour but said Te Pae Oranga offered second chances and opportunities.
He worked with participants, before, during and after the community panel.
Contracts were signed, deadlines were set and goals were assigned which could include apology letters, reparation, counselling and so on.
Failure to meet expectations meant the case would go back to court.
The most rewarding moments may come months later, Te Moana said.
“I’ll get a call to say they’ve found a steady job, got their licence or are feeling in a better place. I’ve been doing this for three years and only two of my participants have reoffended.”
Tamatea believed the programme was making a big difference.
He said Te Pae Oranga means to talk, listen and become well. When people walked through the door, they were often nervous and stressed.
“When they leave it’s like a weight has lifted. It is quite mana enhancing.”
Morrison said the programme was open to all ethnicities not just Māori and figures showed it was about a 50-50 spilt.
According to police data from January 1-December 14 in the Western Bay of Plenty there were 294 referrals compared to about 267 the year before.
Te Pae Oranga was launched nationally in 2013 but has expanded with government funding.
Latest figures show there are 23 programmes including Rotorua and Whakatāne, and 17,405 Te Pae referrals had been made between October 2017 and April 2023.
Meanwhile, Te Pae Oranga training was taking place in Tauranga for a cohort of new panellists and facilitators.
Run by the police group, spokeswoman Ella Horne said the course taught different techniques like how to deal with different behaviours that might pop up during the hui.
For panellists, the most important part was the korero, she said.
“We help teach them how to get the story behind the summary of facts to support our participants and any victims or support people that choose to be involved.
“Then they can decide how can we move forward from here.”
Facilitators met the participants pre-panel so it’s important they could identify risks.
“That is to make sure people are prepared and not walking into the hui blindsided.”
On average a facilitator worked with the participant for 12 weeks.
Police Senior Sergeant Brigette Cairns said “for us as trainers it is one of the most important programmes the police have ever entered into”.
“From our point of view, it’s very worthwhile, and from what we see, it’s quite successful.”
Ngāi Te Rangi Oranga Whānau kaimahi Richshea McKenna wanted to be a facilitator because of her lived experience and desire to support others.
The former drug user has been clean for eight years and is studying towards a Bachelor of Social Work.
“I want to make a meaningful difference. Restorative justice really interests me as it can stop people from ending up in jail. I work with rangatahi so these new skills will be invaluable.”
She said although the training was challenging, she found it “amazing and really interactive”.
Tauranga City Council strategic advisor: ethnic, migrant and pacific communities Haidee Kalirai did the panellist training as she recognised there were people from different ethnicities who were referred to Te Pae Oranga.
She’s currently on secondment to Ngāi Te Rangi on a part-time basis.
“I wanted to contribute by providing diverse perspectives and support. I can help to find solutions collaboratively, and connecting them to available community resources and services – such as language assistance, social programmes and culturally responsive services.”
Ngāi Te Rangi chief executive Paora Stanley said the programme reduced the pathway to prison for many, particularly Māori.
“Rather than punishment, the programme emphasises guiding ropes and real help, not punitive measures.”
Te Pae Oranga panellist and kāumatua Peter Ririnui said we “walk alongside our participants not in front or behind them”.
-Contributed content
Carmen Hall is a communications advisor for Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Te Rangi Iwi Trust and a former Bay of Plenty Times journalist.