Media Release
4 April 2008
Maori Wardens Good For Communities
New Zealand First congratulates the success of an ACC initiative where Maori Wardens played a crucial role in reducing
alcohol-fuelled disturbances and calls for more of these community-based initiatives to be adopted across New Zealand.
“The positive results of the Hamilton initiative highlight not only the essential role that Maori Wardens play, but also
the growing respect that they have within the community,” says Maori Affairs spokesperson Pita Paraone.
”We need to build on this success and push for further projects which allow the Maori Wardens to fully support their
communities, in particular Maori youth. The Hamilton project is proof that the Maori Wardens have the ability to tackle
and, in many cases, succeed in reducing potentially violent situations where the police have failed.
“I am, however, appalled to hear that the Maori Wardens involved in this initiative now have to dig into their own
pockets to fund their work because the project has ended. In light of New Zealand ranking highly in an international
crime survey last month, we should be encouraging successful schemes like this instead of knocking them down.
“New Zealand First has always supported the Maori Wardens and our Confidence and Supply agreement with the Labour
Government succeeded in last year’s $2.5 million of funding for capacity building, with guaranteed funding beyond 2008.
“We will certainly be looking into this matter to see if the Maori Wardens in Hamilton can get further funding to
continue their important work,” said Mr Paraone.
ENDS