By Six
The Māori Wardens are a welcome return to Karangahape Road, providing a kaupapa Māori approach to community security.
When we filmed this episode, the wardens were looking for a site to base themselves. The old Myer Park caretaker’s cottage was an option, but that plan has since fallen through and they are now setting up a home on Day Street just off K’ Road.
This will be a base of operations and provide a permanent home for the important work the Wardens continue to provide almost every day, not only on K’ Road but around the city.
Joanne Paikea (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Whitikaupeka, Ngāti Tamakōpiri, Ngāti Kahungunu) is the Ngā Wātene Māori Ō Akarana Ki Tāmaki Makaurau (Chief Executive Officer for the Auckland City District Māori Wardens).
Under Joanne’s leadership, fifty-two volunteer wardens provide a safety presence on marae, at events and in the wider community.
The wardens occupy a space between police and private security. They work alongside police and social agencies but have no legal powers.
They are able to advise people on where to get help, food and other essential services.
Joanne says if you have been through similar situations you can understand where people are coming from.
She spent numerous years living in her car after enduring personal trauma and turned to methamphetamine for comfort.
“For 22 years I went through a spell where I didn’t care about anything but myself,” says Joanne.
But her family did care and did not give up on her.
Sister Marina, who is also a warden, says she would go looking for Joanne and plead with her to come home. But she didn’t go home. Joanne was dealing with unresolved issues of sexual abuse from a young age.
“The history of my trauma from my childhood I never let go,” says Joanne. “I was festering. I thought the drugs were going to save me. But then my father died and I got worse. No one could save me then. Not even my own family” says Joanne.
“I wasn’t a statistic. I was raised by both parents in our own home and had a good education.
But when I turned 10 my grandfather came to live with us and he sexually abused me for a whole year while my parents were at work,” recounts Joanne.
It wasn’t for four more years before she mustered the courage to tell her parents what had happened. They couldn’t believe her until she showed them the hush money she had been given hidden behind the family piano.
Long-term mental trauma is hard to deal with. Without support from qualified services or help from within your whānau network, it can be impossible to break addiction cycles.
“In order to give up any substance you have to want to. You have to find the right support system and cut ties..,” says Joanne.
Support from a new partner, Vera, helped Joanne turn her life around.
Vera had the life skills to guide Joanne through recovery.
Vera is not only Joanne’s saviour but is now also her life partner. Vera and Joanne are now engaged to be married.
