“Aroha ki te tangata / For the love of the people”
There are approximately 700 Māori Wardens who play an intrinsic role in improving the wellbeing of whānau and our communities in Aotearoa New Zealand. Te Puni Kōkiri in partnership with NZ Police provides practical support to Māori Wardens including delivering training programmes and providing resources (e.g. vehicles, uniforms and equipment).
About Māori Wardens
Māori Wardens are an intrinsic part of our communities in Aotearoa New Zealand. They have been supporting whānau for over 150 years at a grassroots level and have well-established relationships that enable them to work closely with whānau, Māori organisations, community groups and government agencies.
Māori Wardens are not police, but they have legal responsibilities under the Māori Community Development Act 1962. Today there are approximately 700 Māori Wardens who volunteer their time to supporting others in our communities.
The strength of Māori Warden’s is their intimate knowledge of, and close connection to their local communities. The guiding principles of a Māori Warden is respect, awhi, aroha, and whānaungatanga. The values are:
- Rangimarie (Peace)
- Manaaki (Kindness)
- Kōrero (Talking)
- Whakaiti (Humility)
- Tautoko (Support)
- Pono (Honesty)
Modernising Māori Wardens
During the 1950s and 60s the role of Māori Wardens was to manage the behaviour of Māori under the influence of alcohol. Over the years the role of Māori Wardens has evolved to meet the changing needs of whānau and communities to include supporting the homeless, encouraging rangatahi, providing community reassurance, facilitating hui between whānau and schools, providing event management and security, and facilitating youth at risk programmes.
Minister for Māori Development, Hon Nanaia Mahuta is passionate about ensuring the role Māori Wardens play in New Zealand communities’ remains strong, valuable and relevant. It is timely to consider what the future for the Māori Wardens could look like.
Click here for more information.
News and Stories
The latest news and events for Māori Wardens are listed below.
Events and Updates
Latest events and updates for this section are listed below.
-
Māori Wardens Conference 2019
The Māori Wardens are coming together to finalise the modernisation project which has been in discussion with the Māori Development Minister - Nanaia Mahuta.
- Registration required
- Organiser: Māori Wardens
-
Māori Wardens supporting rangatahi to access higher education
Nearly a third of youth aged 15-24 not in education, employment or training are Māori. That includes 7,400 rangatahi Māori in the Waikato-Waiariki region. Katikati Māori Wardens are supporting local rangatahi on their learning pathway.
-
Helping to build a brighter future
Kat grew up in Auckland living the life portrayed in the movie Once Were Warriors. She experienced things children shouldn’t and these experiences have left a dark mark. She has seven children from two relationships but only two live with her. She is working with agencies including Tāmaki ki Te Tonga District Māori Wardens to build a brighter future.
-
Induction of New Māori Wardens for Te Aroha
A group of locals willing to support this vision met at the Te Aroha RSA to start the process of being inducted as Māori Wardens.
-
Māori Wardens are here to help our people on the right path to a better life
Joining the Māori Wardens in 1984 was a key step towards Haki becoming the kind of leader he thought his people needed.
