Once a month, for the past six months, Police and rangatahi have ‘shared space’ at New Brighton Police Station in Christchurch; connecting through a shared commitment to serving others.
Tautua (or ‘serving together’) is a leadership and empowerment recruitment programme hosted by Canterbury New Brighton Youth Services team and MPES.
Twelve Year 13 Māori, Pasifika and ethnic students - six from Avonside Girls’ and six from Shirley Boys’ - joined local Police staff for one morning a month at New Brighton, where they nurtured the vā, which in Samoan culture refers to ‘the space that connects us’.
Youth Services Social Worker Jeremy Faumuinā (pictured, right) says the intention of the programme is to connect with rangatahi on a cultural level and provide an immersive experience for Pasifika, Māori and ethnic students with an interest in joining Police.
“In our sessions together, we shared vā space and had open and honest talanoa about what it’s like to work for Police and how culture is valued within our organisation,” says Jeremy.
“Creating a shared space enabled us to relate to each other in a way that makes sense within a cultural context.
"There becomes an understanding: ‘I see you, I hear you, I get you,’ and we become so much more than just another blue uniform – we learn from each other.”
Each three-hour session focused on one of the Police values and always finished with kai.
“The great thing is that our Police values sit within our cultural values, so it was a match made in heaven.
“The students got the opportunity to korero with a variety of staff members from different workgroups about anything and everything – their cultural identity, how they express their culture in their work and how their personal values align with our Police values.”
It wasn't all talk - there were plenty of team-building activities, fitness and shared kai as well.
At the conclusion of the six months, a celebration was held with police, the school leaders, friends and community partners.
“It was such a rewarding experience for everyone involved. Our commitment in terms of time and resources was quite small but the outcomes were immeasurable.
“It has helped build our own culture as an organisation and supported us to engage more honestly and authentically with each other and the families we work with.
“The 12 students we connected with were truly inspiring. If any decide to pursue a career in policing, we would be lucky to have them. Our future is in great hands.”