Te Rūnanga o Tūranganui a Kiwa, judicial and Ministry of Justice representatives at the whakanuia. Chief District Court Judge Heemi Taumaunu is front-row centre with Meka Whaitiri and Moera Brown from TROTAK to his right. The three kete and the taonga pictured are symbolic gifts exchanged during the ceremony. Photo / Ministry of Justice
Te Rūnanga o Tūranganui a Kiwa, judicial and Ministry of Justice representatives at the whakanuia. Chief District Court Judge Heemi Taumaunu is front-row centre with Meka Whaitiri and Moera Brown from TROTAK to his right. The three kete and the taonga pictured are symbolic gifts exchanged during the ceremony. Photo / Ministry of Justice
An iwi-provided wraparound support service in the adult criminal jurisdiction of Gisborne District Court has expanded into the Family Court and Youth Court after a successful testing period
Tangatarite is a whānau-centred service designed and provided by Te Rūnanga o Tūranganui a Kiwa (Trotak).
It supports whānau through the courtprocess, by ensuring all participants, including victims and whānau, can better understand the cases that relate to them.
The Chief District Court Judge’s chambers said in a statement that timely access to justice is a central feature of the initiative.
Tangatarite was introduced in the adult criminal jurisdiction in 2022 through the Whakaorangia te Mana Tangata initiative.
Judicially led, Te Ao Mārama works with iwi and community organisations, as well as justice sector agencies, to improve the quality of justice in the district court.
Moera Brown, Trotak chair throughout the development of Tangatarite, was joined by new Trotak chair Meka Whaitiri at a whakanuia (celebration ceremony) at the start of the week.
Meka Whaitiri, the recently appointed chairperson of Te Runanga o Turanganui a Kiwa, and Tony Fisher, Pou Whirinaki, Ministry of Justice, review the relationship agreement before signing. Photo / Ministry of Justice
An outcome agreement for the service and an ongoing relationship agreement between Trotak and the Ministry of Justice were signed.
“This work strongly aligns with Whānau Ora principles. The focus for the team is to work with whānau by hearing and responding to their kōrero using all the attributes we know work for our people.
“So it does start with understanding who they are and how they come to be present in the justice spaces,” Brown said.
Gisborne is the fifth district court location funded for Te Ao Mārama where a service has been implemented.
“I would like to thank Trotak for working so hard with the District Court and Ministry of Justice to make this service happen, first in the adult criminal jurisdiction and now also in the Family Court and Youth Court,” Chief Judge Taumaunu said.
