COVID-19 has opened a new door for a programme focused on helping low-level offenders turn their lives around – and the change is helping open eyes to its positive impact.
To some people, lockdown could have meant shutdown - but not Justine Bishop and Simon Kairau, a sergeant and senior sergeant in Invercargill who are Police representatives on the local Te Pae Oranga programme.
A key kaupapa (principle) of the programme is to work with people kanohi ki te kanohi – face to face, and in person.
Usually, a person who committed a crime and wants to put things right meets with a panel of local experts (and the victim, if appropriate) on the local marae.
But face-to-face didn’t fly under the COVID-19 restrictions imposed at Level 4 and Level 3. It looked like Te Pae Oranga would have to stop.
“There were moments I was quite anxious we might lose this incredible strategy,” says Justine. “So we decided we’d do everything we could to get Te Pae Oranga up and running. In times like these, we have to challenge ourselves to find ways around obstacles.”
Also up for the challenge were Nga Kete Matauranga Pounamu Charitable Trust, Police’s community partner and provider of Te Pae Oranga in Invercargill.
So Justine, Simon, the Trust and MPES colleagues in Wellington sourced teleconferencing resources, brainstormed how to adapt tikanga online, and stayed focused on how to hold people to account, address why they’re offending, and put things right for victims.
The result?
“It was such a buzz, it was amazing,” says Justine, reflecting on the first group of virtual Te Pae Oranga sessions.
As with in-person sessions, she says, participants took it seriously and were relieved and humbled. Panel members skilfully guided them on how to put things right, and to reflect on what they did, why and how they could change.
Police and community partners in other areas have also run virtual Te Pae Oranga sessions.
In some cases, frontline officers who caught offenders have joined video conferences, giving them insight into how the programme works.
One Auckland officer described the experience as an eye opener. She was impressed by how the panel held the participant to account, dispelling her expectation that Te Pae Oranga was a soft option.
Asher Hauwaho, Iwi Liaison Coordinator and Police representative on Te Pae Oranga in the Hutt Valley, alongside Te Runanganui O Taranaki Whanui (Te Atiawa), has now taken part in more than 20 online sessions.
He says the experience is as powerful as ever. Some of the participants have been in tears - but the virtual Te Pae Oranga sessions helped them move on, and to make practical plans to deal with the issues that led to their offending.
“The emotional impact is still real,” Asher says. “Giving people the opportunity and ability to express themselves is key.”