When a whānau member commits an offence for the first time/is low risk and if eligible, they are referred to a panel of community members who have valuable experience and knowledge. The panel helps the participant make a plan to put things right and help everyone who takes part
17 Nov 2023
Te Pae Oranga is a way to deal with offending. But it’s more than that.
It's a way Police, Iwi/Māori and Communities:
- helps people get their lives back on track
- do right by people harmed by crime
- hold people accountable without going to court
Participants (people who’ve offended) are supported to make a plan to put things right and address problems they’re facing. The plan includes actions and conditions they must follow. Te Pae Oranga doesn’t just look at what happened. It also looks at why, and what’s going on in people’s lives. That way, we can help put things right, understand the challenges people are facing, and connect them to the right services and support.
Pēhea te whakamahi | How it works
When someone commits an offence, Police consider if Te Pae Oranga is a good option. If they’re eligible, Police refer them to a local agency that runs the service.
The participant meets with the agency’s Te Pae Oranga panel. These are local community leaders who have valuable experience and knowledge.
Victims are encouraged to participate. Anyone who attends can bring support people.
The panel helps make the plan to put things right and help everyone who takes part.
The plan can include actions such as:
- getting support to quit drugs and alcohol
- getting a drivers licence, a job or training
- paying for damage caused (reparation)
- hearing how victims were affected and apologising to them.
He aha te āhua | What to expect
Te Pae Oranga means to talk, listen and become well. It uses tikanga Māori, kaupapa Māori and restorative justice practices. It has three main parts.
Huinga o mua | Pre meeting
- meet with the kaikawe kōrero (facilitator)
- gather information about what happened and why
- prepare for the hui mātua
Hui mātua | Main meeting
- meet the māngai o te hapori (panel members)
- discuss what happened and have your say
- make a plan to put things right and make positive changes
Huinga o muri | Follow up
- connect with services and other help
- support the participant to complete their plan
- inform Police of the result
If the participant doesn’t meet the panel or complete their plan, they may have to go to court.
Me pēhea te āwhina | How it helps
Te Pae Oranga has many benefits. It’s good for the people who take part, their whānau and their communities. It acts like a “jump start” to help people make positive changes in their lives.
It can work better than taking people to court. For example, prosecuting someone may do more harm than good:
- they may not get help to address problems they’re facing
- having a criminal conviction makes it difficult for them to get their life back on track and stay that way
- court cases can sometimes be hard on victims.
It also doesn’t over-punish people who make a mistake, find themselves in difficulty or need help to deal with underlying issues.
For further queries around Te Pae Oranga in the Gisborne area, please reach out to:
Tui Houia - Te Pae Oranga Facilitator
P: 022 1510 020 | E: thouia@npo.org.nz
Bobby Reedy - Te Pae Oranga Co-ordinator
P: 022 361 7684 | E: rreedy@npo.org.nz
Karen Newman - Supported Resolution Coordinator
NZ Police | P: 021 192 6731 | E: Tairawhiti.tpo@police.govt.nz
For further queries around Te Pae Oranga in the Ruatoria area, please reach out to:
Ruira Morice - Te Pae Oranga Facilitator
P: 022 1579 474 | E: rmorice@npo.org.nz
Keriana Fox - Te Pae Oranga Co-Ordinator
P: 022 0805 027 | E: kfox@npo.org.nz
Karen Newman - Supported Resolution Coordinator
NZ Police | P: 021 192 6731 | E: Tairawhiti.tpo@police.govt.nz