August 05, 2013
Tikanga class wins prison arts prize
A programme teaching tikanga as a way to stop reoffending has won this year’s Big "A" Prison Arts Community Award.
Waihopai Rūnaka runs the 60-hour programme at Invercargill Prison and Murihiku Marae, teaching groups of up to 15 men covering a range of kaupapa Māori concepts including powhiri, tikanga and Māori mythology.
Co-ordinator Philomena Shelford says it gives participants a way to learn who they are and where they come from.
She says the men come away with increased motivation to participate in the community, take part in whānau events and look for jobs or education.
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