"Waitematā Te Pae Oranga / Iwi Community Panel launched"

The Waitematā Te Pae Oranga / Iwi Community Panel has been launched by Police in partnership with Hoani Waititi Marae, making it the 11th iwi panel nationwide.

Hon. Stuart Nash, Sir Pita Sharples, Superintendent Tusha Penny, Deputy Commissioner Mike Clement and Marae chair Eynon Delamere

In attendance were Minister of Police Hon. Stuart Nash; Hoani Waititi Marae Chairman Eynon Delamere; Sir Pita Sharples, who is a driver behind the building of Hoani Waititi and associated kura kaupapa and kohanga reo; Dame June Mariu, who has a long association with Hoani Waititi, including supporting the Rangatahi Court based there; Deputy Commissioner Mike Clement and Waitematā District Commander Superintendent Tusha Penny and her staff.

Waitematā District Commander Superintendent Tusha Penny says the panels demonstrate Police’s commitment to working in partnership with Māori leaders to focus on reducing reoffending by Māori and victimisation.

“The panel will see Police working in partnership with the community to consider the best course of action for all involved; the victim, the offender, and the whole whanau,” says Superintendent Penny.

“The outcomes we’ve seen at other Te Pae Oranga / Iwi Community Panels show this approach works.

“We believe this is because the panels ensure offenders are held accountable for their actions, and that the underlying causes of the behaviours that drive offending are addressed.”

“The panel looks at what drove the offending and how it can be fixed at the root, not the surface.

The process is also ongoing, it’s not just about the one hui with the panel, it’s about ongoing support, to keep people on the right path.

“Addressing the causes can include anything from training or education, to budgeting advice or other interventions,” she says.

“An important part of the process is inviting the victims to take part, ensuring the impacts of offending are understood by the participant.

This also supports the panel to determine an appropriate way to repair the harm caused.

“The holistic approach ensures the harm caused is acknowledged and addressed, as are the causes of the offending, and the participant has support in place to become a productive member of the community.”

For someone to be referred to an iwi panel the crime must have a penalty of less than six months in prison and the person must have admitted responsibility for the offence.

There must also be no public interest in prosecution.

ENDS

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