July 07, 2021
Bouncer takes street level approach to rangatahi trouble
The organiser of a community watch group in Whangārei dealing with a rise in youth crime says mutual respect is key to breaking through.
Tukaha Murray set up Whangārei Rangatahi Patrols four months ago with two other volunteers in response to increasing crime in Tikipunga, a predominantly Māori suburb.
The 22-year old bouncer says young people were breaking into cars and fighting with teenagers from other suburbs.
He says a grounded, whānau-orientated approach is working.
"I'm a Māori and I want to speak to our Māori children how they like to speak. Our rangatahi want to be spoken to like adults so we will speak to them like adults. We're not going to try to belittle them. We're not going to think we're better than them. We want to come down to their level – are you getting into trouble, why are you getting into trouble and can we help you through whatever you are doing," Mr Murray says
He's keen to work closer with the Whangārei branch of the Māori Wardens.
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