7. TE URUROA FLAVELL (Māori Party—Waiariki) Link to this
to the Associate Minister of Corrections
Does he agree with the intention of the Māori focus units that through developing a personal commitment to tikanga Māori values, offenders become less criminally motivated; if so, what plans has he to ensure the Māori focus units will become even more successful?
Hon Dr PITA SHARPLES (Associate Minister of Corrections) Link to this
Tēnā koe, Mr Speaker. Tēnā tātou. Yes, I do, because the tikanga Māori programmes focus on manaakitanga, which teaches offenders to care and share with each other; kotahitanga, which creates unity as one group, even over gang patches; and rangatiratanga, which teaches them to respect individuals’ mana. So the Māori focus units are successful in that way. The guys are learning through their tikanga Māori. The basis of the report that has been produced will provide an opportunity to extend the services offered.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
What actions will the Associate Minister take to address the increasing concern amongst staff that the pool of funds available for prisoner tikanga Māori programmes and staff training is diminishing?
Hon Dr PITA SHARPLES Link to this
I have already met with the chief executive. We are using this report and targeting money in the best manner possible. I know that we have a lot of things we can do with the money that is there at this time.
Hon Nanaia Mahuta Link to this
What advice did the Minister give to his colleague the Minister of Corrections in response to the container-room proposal? Will that approach aid prisoner rehabilitation, or are containers intended to be the Government’s new-look Māori focus units?
Hon Dr PITA SHARPLES Link to this
I did not give the Minister any advice but I have seen the model based on containers. It is no better or worse than many cells that exist at this time. It is actually bigger than many of the cells in New Zealand’s prisons at this time, and it is much better than a lot of them.
Kelvin DavisCan the Minister explain why yesterday at the Vote Corrections estimates hearing the Minister of Corrections, Judith Collins, said that she had not yet seen details of his Whare Oranga Ake proposal, yet just hours later he was discussing the proposal on Close Up, or is this just another example of Cabinet Ministers not communicating with each other, and keeping each other in the dark while they drum up support for their pet schemes?
Hon Dr PITA SHARPLES Link to this
It is an example of the Minister’s confidence in her Associate Minister—me—to carry out this project. I have briefed her on it, but in terms of the details, the member is quite right, she has not seen it. But officials up and down the country are working on it. Kia ora.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
What does the Minister think are the key success factors in rehabilitating Māori prisoners to reduce reoffending?
Hon Dr PITA SHARPLES Link to this
What seems to be applicable for Māori inmates in particular is programmes of healing, where they face their crime, what they have done, and realise that they have created victims, and so on. A lot of people go through the prison system without having to do that. The second one is training inmates to enable them to take up a livelihood when they leave. The most important factor is whānau mentoring support when they leave prison. Lack of that support is one of the main reasons for recidivism.
Hon Darren Hughes Link to this
When did the Associate Minister brief the Minister of Corrections on the details of this proposal?
Hon Dr PITA SHARPLES Link to this
I have spoken to her about it and brought it up a few times. She knows that it is different.
Hon Ruth DysonHon Dr PITA SHARPLES Link to this
Now and again ever since I have been there. That is all we have done; we have talked about it. She said “Go ahead.”, and I am going ahead and working with the departmental officers. Kia ora.