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Partnering with Pasifika communities, improving responsiveness and enhancing cultural competence were key themes at the Tamaki Makaurau Justice Sector Pasifika Fono held in Auckland last week. The fono brought together representatives from within the justice sector to further dissect the Tamaki Makaurau Justice Sector Plan developed from the Criminal Justice Sector four year plan (2018-2021).
Part of the three step action plan includes the Tamaki Makaurau Justice Sector Pasifika Action Plan that aims to work in partnership with Pasifika, being accountable, giving and taking responsibility effectively, and standing up and doing what needs to be done.
Regional Advisor Pacific at the Department of Corrections Northern Region Analaupulou Cullen says one of the highlights of the fono is to share and promote the invaluable services Pasifika community groups provide for Pasifika people in the Justice system.
Keynote speakers included Chris King from the Ministry Justice, newly appointed Principal Youth Court Judge Ida Malosi and Minister for Corrections and Justice, Kelvin Davis.
Minister Davis acknowledged staff from corrections, frontline Police, Justice, and community providers who are driving change within the system collectively. He acknowledges that the work is not easy and says it’s “hard.”
The Minister raised the ongoing concerns around ram raids and children fleeing. And while they need to be held accountable for the crimes committed, it is equally important to support them.
“We can’t give up on our kids and we can’t give up on their families… we can’t excuse it but we can’t judge them, we just have to help them,: he says.
“We have to have a passionate obsession about helping our kids and never give up.”
According to current statistics from the Ministry of Justice, while the prison population has seen a decrease, the number of people in prison and the proportion of people in prison on remand remains high, around 41%. A high proportion of those on remand are Pacific and Maori.
Chris King says, “we need to think, as a justice sector, how do we keep people out of the system and then, those that are in the system, how do we give them access to justice to get them through the system?”
Minister Davis says there is no quick fix, but he is confident that together the Justice, Corrections, Police, Crown Law, Oranga Tamariki, SFO, and community providers can make a difference.
“We’ve got to do better for our brown people as a country. Maori/Pasifika people, we’ve got to do better,” he says.
