July 05, 2016
Turia slams Collins’ gangster blunder
Former Whanau Ora Minister Dame Tariana Turia is angry Corrections Minister Judith Collins has barred an iwi-appointed volunteer from working in Whanganui Prison.
Mrs Collins was responding to a complaint from the Sensible Sentencing Trust that Ngati Ruanui kaumatua Ngapari Nui, who has worked for five years with inmates on health and wellness programmes, was a Black Power member.
She ordered her department to review whether other gang members work behind bars.
Dame Tariana says Mr Nui is a testament to the power of redemption and he has an extraordinary ability to reach marginalised whanau who refuse contact with other agencies.
"Judith has made a grave mistake and she has allowed the attitude she has about gangs to influence the decision to remove him without even bothering to consult with Ngati Ruanui, and she knows we all know they are appointed by their iwi. You can't get in unless you are backed by your iwi and no iwi is going to back someone up if they think they are bad for the people," she says.
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