Over 150 Police staff and Māori leaders from throughout New Zealand are meeting in Nelson to discuss ways to reduce Māori offending and victimisation in the context of youth offending, violence and domestic violence, alcohol and drugs at the NZ Police National Māori Responsiveness Conference: Ngakia Kia Puawai.
Inspector Wally Haumaha, NZ Police Mäori Strategy Advisor says police are committed to working with the Māori community to reduce Māori offending and victimisation.
"We have made immense progress since the implementation of our Responsiveness to Māori strategy but we still have a long way to go.
"There has been a huge shift in both Police and Māori working together because we are now talking with each other rather than at each other.
"Relationships are important and we will continue to work closely with iwi and hapu on ways to reduce Māori offending," says Inspector Haumaha. "Our Māori Liaison Officers provide a vital link between police and the Māori community.
Conference organiser Detective Inspector John Winter, Acting Tasman District Commander says: "The task confronting us in reducing the incidence and effects of crime on Māori as both victim and offender is beyond the current resource of police to deal with by ourselves. By working with our strategic partners and the community at large, however, we are able to achieve more and to focus on the outcomes which matter – reducing the number of Māori youth in the formal youth justice system and to prevent other Mäori youth going down that path."
A number of judges, key Māori leaders and Police managers are taking part in the conference which is being held at the Heritage Rutherford Hotel in Nelson and concludes tomorrow [Thursday 10 November].
ENDS