Info

Scope

Publication Design
Visual Identity
Workshop Engagement

Whakatutuki Moemoeā

How can young tāne and their whānau be best supported in their experiences of re-entering the community after prison, and in making positive life changes that remove imprisonment from their future life path?

Context

Whakatutuki Moemoeā is an initiative that originated from pioneering work instigated by Manawatū Prison (and supported by Corrections' High Impact Innovation Programme) to establish a unit within their high-security facility for young men who identified that they wanted to make positive changes in their lives. In response, the Tu Mai unit was set up and provide young tāne under the age of 25 with a raft of attitudinal and life skill programmes and support tāne to reflect, learn and make positive changes to support them when they return to the community.

Corrections approached Te Tihi o Ruahine in 2019 to partner in a pilot to build on the foundations of the Tu Mai concept, and to establish a powerful role for whānau to be accountable for the rehabilitation and reintegration of their tāne while in prison, at time of release and beyond. In turn, Te Tihi recommended that services crucial to supporting tāne and whānau through this process be reviewed and redesigned, and approached the team and I at Toi Āria to lead this mahi. The partners named the initiative Whakatutuki Moemoeā — Whānau Fulfilling Dreams, clearly encapsulating a kaupapa of whānau, aspiration, strengths and self-determination.

Solution

Commencing in July 2020 and following a commencement pōwhiri and the gifting of the Whakatutuki Moemoeā tohu to Tu Mai, Toi Āria undertook research interviews to map the past and current experiences of tāne and whānau (a separate sample) with support services. Through interviews with tāne (on probation or reimprisoned) and their whānau, a map of needs and experiences with services was built. These interviews with tāne, whānau and service providers were reported in the following publication — informing a rich picture of service provision, gaps and potential ideas for improvement.