Iwi panel for Maori offending

Acting Inspector Damion Rangitutia took over the role of Southern district Maori responsiveness manager two weeks ago and is charged with implementing an initiative aimed at addressing high rates of Maori offending and imprisonment. Photo: Linda Robertson

A new collaborative initiative between southern iwi and police aims to tackle the overrepresentation of Maori offending and imprisonment.

Southern district Maori responsiveness manager Acting Inspector Damion Rangitutia is working with runanga in the district to establish iwi community panels, which will provide an alternative to court-based justice for eligible offenders.

The initiative attempted to address the underlying issues causing offending at the lower levels of seriousness.

Although Maori made up about 9% of the population of the district, they accounted for 21% of offending.

The panel would deal with offenders who had fallen foul of the law for low-level offences such as driving matters, which had proved to be an entry point into the criminal system, Acting Insp Rangitutia said.

"What we know is a lot of Maori, nationally, end up in the criminal justice system through road policing-type offences and our analysis shows once they go into the system it’s difficult to disrupt," he said.

"We will come up with alternative ways to deal with these offenders that have a tikanga flavour."

Such actions could include ensuring the offender obtained their driver’s licence and employment.

Nationally, there was a commitment to reducing Maori offending by 25% and this was one initiative which could contribute to that target, he said.

The first such panel was likely to soon be established in Southland, with hopes more would follow throughout Southern district.

While the panels were being established in collaboration with iwi, the eligibility would be based on age and the level of offending not ethnicity.

"Anyone can be referred to the panel, but it will have a tikanga ethos and flavour to it," Acting Insp Rangitutia said.

Southern district prevention manager Inspector Marty Gray, who was the district’s first Maori responsiveness manager, said iwi were backing the initiative and wanted "Maori solutions to Maori problems".

"I don’t think anyone can argue that better outcomes for Maori mean better outcomes for New Zealand," he said.

It was not about segregation or providing offenders with an easy way out.

"We still have to hold an offender to account and we need to respect the integrity of the victim," Insp Gray said.

"This is just another opportunity we have got to stem that tide."

Acting Insp Rangitutia had only taken on the role of Maori responsiveness manager during the past fortnight and this was one of the key pieces of work he had been charged with implementing to address offending.

"We need to acknowledge the facts that are staring us in the face every day and that’s the overrepresentation and disparity of Maori in offending and in the prisons," Acting Insp Rangitutia said.

"It makes business sense. And we have an obligation to protect our Maori and community."

He was also working with Southern police staff to instil values and aspirations  conducive to tackling the issue.

It was hoped early intervention could break the intergenerational nature of offending.

Police would also be working with families and social agencies to address problems such as family harm and youth offending.

Acting Insp Rangitutia previously served in the Southern district between 2011 and 2014, although he was originally from Waikato.

His iwi are Raukawa and Ngati Maniapoto.

"I said in my interview I do feel a healthy weight on my shoulders because I know the importance of this role to not only police ... but also to my people," he said.

"If you are looking for motivation, you won’t get much more motivated than that."

timothy.brown@odt.co.nz