This month Wanganui PARS celebrates 50 years of serving the local community.
Prisoners Aid and Rehabilitation work in New Zealand began in Dunedin in 1877, known then as the Patients' and Prisoners' Aid Society of Otago. In other centres such as Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, working with prisoners seems to have started a little later, about the turn of the century. Each society operated independently of the others, and it was not for another half century that there was a move to integrate their work. The prevailing ethos of work with prisoners owes much to the dedication, vision, determination and philanthropic philosophies of the early members of these societies.
By the 1950s there were groups of people involved in PARS work throughout the country, and while some went into prisons under the banner of PARS, others did not. Palmerston North (established 1955) had a separate society, as did Wanganui (established 1957). The team of Dr John Robson, Secretary of Justice, and Hon RJ Hanan, Minister of Justice, saw the benefits of the work PARS was doing throughout the country. With the information supplied to the Justice Department, funding was granted to meet salaries and ensure continuity of work. All grants came through the national PARS body, based in Wellington and with representation from each society standardisation of services began. The first application for funds to the Department of Justice was dated May 1959 and the amount given to Wanganui was £100. This money was to be used for aid, administration and salaries. Local societies would be required to raise money themselves through subscriptions, donations and grants from local trusts.
By 1967, because of the economic climate, funding was paid in three payments over the year if required, after receiving supporting accounts.
David Wilson MNZM, a founding member of Wanganui PARS, still has involvement 50 years later, as Patron. Twenty-five years ago PARS joined Community House as a tenant and happily remain there.
NZPARS ceased in 2010 and the Prisoners Aid & Rehabilitation Trust was formed, managing all of the South Island and lower North Island and run from Christchurch. However, at the end of 2013, due to funding difficulties, once again societies were thrown into turmoil. Societies that didn't have sufficient governing boards disappeared. Those that remained, were able to apply directly to Corrections' head office for local funding. Wanganui was fortunate to survive because of strong governance and a hard working team of long serving staff who worked well with the local Prison, Community Probation Service and other community organisations. The local president, Sandra Terewi QSM, had served on the NZPARS committee over the years, some as national president, as did the local PARS manager Steve Treloar, who has completed 27 years working for Wanganui PARS.