July 16, 2021
Gang drug programme step towards new life
Ngāti Kahungunu chair Ngahiwi Tomoana says a controversial anti-drug programme being run in central Hawke’s Bay works – and it’s the right thing to do.
The National Party has gone on the offensive against the Proceeds of Crime Fund being used to fund Hard2Reach’s Kahukura programme, which tackles trauma and drug-seeking behaviour among Mongrel Mob whānau.
Mr Tomoana says after leading the Corrections Claim to the Waitangi Tribunal, Ngāti Kahungunu has worked on reaching and supporting gang whānau, especially those women and children left vulnerable when their men are in prison.
"That's how we've supported this programme and I don't want to talk about the programme itself but I know it works because I've been part of it. It's taking people out of their meth space, out of their gang space into training, work opportunities and eventually career opportunities. That's how Ngati Kahungunu supports our whānau," he says.
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