New Zealand cop talks Indigenous policing and justice

“The way he talked about the parallels between New Zealand and Prince Albert, Sask. about the shame that comes with the language and culture being taken away is almost identical to how it is here,” Parenteau told paNOW.

‘Maori court’

Although they represent around 15 per cent of the population, Maori make up between 50-58 per cent of the people in prison in New Zealand.

“Nothing’s changed over the last 50 years with the overrepresentation of Indigenous,” Kairau told paNOW speaking before his presentation. “The normal system isn’t working, it’s never really getting into root cause of the offending in the first place. “

In response, the police sergeant helped develop an alternative justice system based in Maori culture.

It gives the community the opportunity to make the decisions _{– Sergeant Simon Kairau}

Iwi Community Panels divert people with offenses of less the 6 months away from court. Their cases are heard in front of a panel of community members at a marae, a sacred Maori building.

“What’s happened in New Zealand is there is some numbness with some of the Indigenous. If they go to court there’s a mental numbness to it, there’s no accountability. It’s ‘yeah I’m off to court I’ll get what I deserve, so be it, it doesn’t matter,” he explained during the presentation.

Inside a marae, it’s completely different.

“The shame of some of our offenders having to be before the elders is more than enough of a penalty in some cases.”

The result of the meeting could be reparations, community work, or educational courses.

If the conditions levelled by the panel aren’t met, the case can be referred to a standard court system.

“It gives the community the opportunity to make the decisions,” Kairau explained to paNOW. “All it’s doing is going back to a pre-colonization process that was in place before New Zealand was colonized, so it’s taking that back.”

Has it worked?

“I suppose the proof’s in the pudding,” said Kairau.

Rates of re-offending among people who attended panel hearings reduced 12 per cent in 2016 and 22 per cent in 2018.

Kairau said although there was some resistance at first, the program is now widely used in New Zealand.

“It’s audited every week, so you’d better have a damn good reason why you’ve put someone before the court [for a charge that could have been heard at an Iwi panel],” he said while answering questions from the audience.

About half the participants in the program are non-Maori. He said the standard court system was not built for the Indigenous people of New Zealand, so the Iwi panels essentially flip that concept.

“We said this is a Maori court here, it’s open to everybody, but if you come into our space you will work within our protocols and our prayers.”

Canadian context

Parenteau said she related to Kairau’s presentation on a “spiritual level” and wants to see something like the Iwi community panels locally.

“Because of the high rates of Indigenous people in jail and the way they’re making changes and it’s working I think that would be amazing here,” she said.

During the presentation Kairau also spoke about the importance of recruiting more Indigenous officers to better reflect communities, something that resonated with Parenteau.

“When I would first go into the police station, you’re looking for someone who looks like you, who you can relate to as an Indigenous person,” she said, adding PAPS is proud to have a nearly half Indigenous force.

–

alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom

by Alison Sandstrom

New Zealand cop talks Indigenous policing and justice

What's Trending