Corrections changes Maori policy after Bullock case

Josie Bullock, who was sacked over the issue, said nothing would have changed if she had not spoken out. File picture / Richard Robinson

Maori cultural practices that treat women differently from men will be carried out only in "exceptional circumstances" on Corrections Department premises from now on.

The department said today it would now be guided by the principles that women and men had the same roles.

It was last year caught up in a dispute with probation officer Josie Bullock who complained publicly about an incident at a poroporoaki, or farewell, for male offenders who had completed a violence-prevention programme.

Ms Bullock had been verbally warned for refusing to move behind men at the ceremony, as required by Maori protocol.

In October the department dismissed Ms Bullock after finding she had repeatedly breached Corrections' code of conduct by speaking to the media without authorisation.

Ms Bullock told Newstalk ZB today: "I went to the media because I knew they wouldn't.

"If I hadn't gone to the media, then none of this would have got out and they wouldn't have changed their policy."

Corrections chief executive Barry Matthews said that in most cases the less formal whakatau would now be used.

"Key features of a whakatau include the same roles for men and women, which will be reflected in the seating arrangements, and the use of languages other than Te Reo Maori if required," he said.

The new policy said whakatau would not be held if the same roles and seating arrangements for men and women could not be assured.

In exceptional circumstances, powhiri (welcome) that assigned gender-based roles may be conducted, but it was expected such exceptions would rarely be applied to department events.

Mr Matthews said: "The department's responsiveness to Maori remains a key element in meeting its goal of reducing re-offending.

"What we in fact found, however, was that the enthusiasm of staff meant that in some cases powhiri were being misused and its tikanga (custom) not protected."

Powhiri would now be held only in exceptional circumstances and only with his approval. Staff would have the choice of whether to participate or not.

The Maori Party last year called for an inquiry into the use of tikanga by the state sector. At the time, party co-leader Pita Sharples said government departments had been asked about their use of powhiri for welcoming guests.

Tangata whenua had questioned whether the use of tikanga across the state sector was for the benefit of the state more than for the benefit of the people, he said.

The call was supported by the National Party, whose list MP Tau Henare accused the Government of promoting a "dial a kaumatua" culture.

Some ministers have also previously mentioned the amount of time taken by powhiri, and questioned whether they are understood by visitors to New Zealand and in other countries when ceremonies are performed overseas.

- NZPA, NEWSTALK ZB