Our stories & events
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori
Our Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland-based Community Corrections staff are celebrating Te Wiki o te Reo Māori in lockdown and online at Covid-19 Alert Level 4.
Manukau Community Corrections Senior Practitioner Hinemoa (Te Whakaatohea tōku; Ko Ngāti Ira tōku) is passionate and proud of her Māori whakapapa. “I come from a big whānau, my kuia had 15 children, so I grew up with over 50 first cousins. My kuia always taught us that our biggest strength was having each other. Because of this, I have a strong belief that success is achieved by a community, not an individual. This is why my favourite whakautauki is: ‘E hara tāku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini. My strength is not as an individual, but as a collective’,” says Hinemoa.
Hinemoa is organising online te reo Māori quizzes for her colleagues, and also inspired them to participate in the Māori Language Moment. She believes that te ao Māori and te reo Māori play a vital role in our work at Corrections, and wants to support other staff to feel confident with their use, learning and knowledge of te reo and understanding the Māori worldview. “I’ve found that something as simple as greeting someone in te reo Māori or pronouncing a Māori name correctly, elicits a positive response; it sets a good foundation and enables us to move through the sensitive topics that we face on a daily basis,” says Hinemoa.
Striving for growth
Hōkai Rangi is centred on the needs and aspirations of people in prison and supporting them to achieve the necessary skills and education for successful reintegration back into the community. The Horticulture Programme run at Papa Oranga Nursery in Northl
Kai grown by people in our care helps community in Ōtautahi
Corrections staff and people in our care have been assisting local communities during lockdown with deliveries of fresh food for people in need.