July 02, 2018
Kahungunu keen on justice reform
Ngāti Kahungunu has justice reform in its sights through partnerships with Corrections and Police.
Last week the iwi signed a kawenata, Whakaritenga Pāhekoheko, with Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis and chief executive Ray Smith formalising its existing relationship and committing the partners to work collaborative on new initiatives to reduce recidivism.
It also signed an agreement with police to establish te pae oranga community panels in Hawke’s Bay.
Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga will work with communities to select panellists, who will hold offenders accountable and look for ways to address their behaviour and repair the harm caused.
District Commander Tania Kura says for a person to be referred to an iwi panel the crime must have a penalty of less than six months in prison, so long as they fit the criteria and had admitted responsibility for the offence.
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