The 111 Files: Hui an eye-opener to issue

Roku Mihinui wants to enasure whanau are safe for future generations. Photo / File

"My firm belief is that it's not about me, it's about those who are coming after me, and if I can put in place the systems, the processes and even the outcomes that are going to benefit my grandchildren and their children and their grandchildren ... then I've done what's best for my people."

This quote is from the introduction to the E Tu Whanau strategy and is ascribed to Roku Mihinui, the chief executive of Te Arawa Lakes Trust.

Last week I had the privilege of participating in a hui with Roku and about 20 others to discuss how we might work together in more effective ways to reduce and prevent family violence; in particular how we might embed the E Tu Whanau strategy in Rotorua.

The group included Rotorua people who have experience with working with people affected by family violence, senior advisors from other government agencies and police officers from across the Bay of Plenty.

In a nutshell, E Tu Whanau is a "programme of action for addressing family violence".

It is a strategy that has been endorsed by the Government.

Perhaps most significantly it was written by Maori for Maori.

That said, many of the principles and goals are cross-cultural. For example it speaks of the importance of being loved, of knowing who you are; and of being connected to, and supported by, others.

E Tu Whanau also speaks of the importance of Tikanga - doing things in the right way.

It was a great meeting for a number of reasons. Firstly, because the conversations were honest. Respectful, but honest.

There was also a lot of passion in the room. Those present were clearly passionate about making a difference and being part of the solution. Thirdly, there was strong agreement that we can best address the problem of family violence by working together and exploring new ways to address the problem. I left the hui feeling tremendously encouraged, and others I spoke to felt the same way.

We have a road map for the future. The next steps are, as one of my colleagues put it, taking up the challenge of moving from the mihi to the mahi. Watch this space, there is more to come. Ka kite ano.

Inspector Bruce Horne is the Rotorua police area commander.