Tihei: Joining the dots for a better outcome for whānau

Hawke's Bay Family Harm Manager Senior Sergeant Caroline Martin and Iwi Lead Chris Karaitiana.

A desire to better support whanau experiencing violence and reduce whānau harm is behind a new rohe-specific approach to dealing with family harm in Hawke's Bay.

Te Kura is a Ngāti Kahungunu approach to Whāngaia Ngā Pā Harakeke, which is a New Zealand Police initiative that encourages collaboration with iwi and other agencies to reduce family harm within Māori communities.

More than two years of work has gone into developing Te Kura. The concept is based on the famous oriori (traditional chant) of the area, Pinepine te Kura, with the intent of using traditional whānau values to reduce whanau harm.

Hawke's Bay deals with an average of 170 family harm incidents a week, which increases in the festive season.

Hawke's Bay Family Harm Manager Senior Sergeant Caroline Martin has been joined by Iwi Lead Chris Karaitiana. Together the pair will take the basic concept and develop a model that best works for Hawke's Bay.

Chris is extremely well connected across Hawke's Bay and has run non-violence programmes for Dove and Te Taiwhenua O Heretaunga for the last 15 years.

He admits he had a 'pretty violent upbringing' and did get into 'a bit of mischief' when he was younger but says that has helped him understand what whānau are going through and dealing with.

"Police do a great job, but they're not social workers and need more support from other agencies, this is about connecting everyone so those facing violence in their homes get the support they desperately need," says Chris.

Caroline agrees and says there is often a delay between Police attending family violence and agencies connecting with whānau.

"We need better collaboration between all services, so whanau get the help they need as soon as possible," says Caroline.

She says having Chris on board is already paying dividends.

"Chris has jumped in the cars with our staff and just having him there engaging with whānau and introducing Police to whānau is so valuable."

Caroline says the next step is to employ a coordinator for Te Kura. This person would coordinate the multi-agency meeting which meets every weekday to review the daily Family Harm incidents and discuss what's best for each whānau.

"We need to be more joined up so together we can decide on the best fit for each whānau and make sure they get support as quickly as possible."

Chris and Caroline say they are looking forward to the opportunity to implement Te Kura and improve outcomes for whānau.

Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated is currently advertising the Te Kura coordinator position to support the implementation of Te Kura. The ideal person will facilitate the triage process and manage the family harm cases, coordinate stakeholder partnerships and service collaboration.

It's important that this person possess excellent interpersonal relationship skills and respect for self and others. If this sounds like you and you're interested in the role, please email the Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated Director of Smart Services Ruth Wong ruth@kahungunu.iwi.nz Applications close Monday 14 March 2022, 9am