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November 07, 2024
Rehab centre claims prejudice, collusion shut-down
Gideon Porter
Posted On November 7, 2024
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An Auckland kaupapa-Māori drug and alcohol rehab centre is accusing council authorities and the police of prejudice and colluding to shut them down.
Download AudioAn Auckland kaupapa-Māori drug and alcohol rehab centre is accusing council authorities and the police of prejudice and colluding to shut them down.
Dairy Flat-based Ngā Kete Wānanga Solutions offers a 12-week intensive alcohol, drugs, and family violence programme, which it says is largely effective.
Founder Matilda Kahotea says because the centre takes in hardcore gang members—some of whom have broken faith—police and council inspectors have been working together for months to close them down.
“We have 300 people on our waiting list that are asking for our help. And that’s 300 individuals, that’s not including the families of these people, that we help along with them. We’re not doing anything wrong. I just feel like that this is another angle at us, to shut our kaupapa down,” says Kahotea.
Matilda Kahotea says checks with other service providers show they are not being subjected to police raids or excessive council regulations, and she is committed to keeping the centre open.
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