What is Paiheretia te Muka Tāngata?

Paiheretia te Muka Tāngata – Uniting the Threads of Whānau – draws on the strengths of the Whānau Ora approach to support tāne Māori who are engaged in the Corrections system and their whānau to develop their own pathways to achieve their aspirations. It is a kaupapa jointly led by Te Puni Kōkiri, Ara Poutama Aotearoa (Department of Corrections), and Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora (Ministry of Social Development) in partnership with Māori. Paiheretia te Muka Tāngata forms part of the Ara Poutama Aotearoa Māori Pathways programme.

This approach aims to work with both the tāne in the care of Corrections, and their whānau, to build strong, positive relationships, improve intergenerational wellbeing, and reduce reoffending and imprisonment.

Why are you doing it?

The Corrections system is not working, especially for Māori, with disparities in outcomes for Māori getting worse. Paiheretia aims to shift the system to take a kaupapa-Māori and whānau-centred approach. Māori currently make up around half of the prison population, despite being about 16 per cent of the national population.

Where and when is this happening?

Paiheretia is being piloted in Hawke’s Bay and Northland, with a view to extend the approach to other regions and prisons in the future.

Why Hawke’s Bay and Northland?

Hawke’s Bay was chosen to build on the work already being done at the Hawke’s Bay Regional Prison, to work in a kaupapa Māori and whānau-centred way. This includes Corrections’ wider Māori Pathway work with whānau Māori. Northland is a region with different needs and aspirations to Hawke’s Bay.  Corrections wanted to pilot the initiative in different environments and learn from the points of difference.

Why are you using a whānau-centred approach in a Corrections setting?

The Whānau Ora Review Report – Tipu Mātoro ki te Ao – released in 2019, affirms this unique whānau-centred approach works and results in positive change for whānau as well as creating the conditions for the change to be sustainable.

How can I find out more about Paiheretia te Muka Tāngata?

For further information, please email paiheretia@tpk.govt.nz or contact 0800 875 663.