Maori on probation given tools for life skills

A second Tikanga Maori course is being held in Mangere for Maori men on probation.
 
The week long course at Nga Whare Waatea is being being run by the Manukau Urban Maori Authority, providing tane with the tools needed to get their life on track.
 
Albert Robertson and Ted Ratana are the facilitators of the Dynamics of Whanaungatanga component, which restores and enhances personal tapu and mana for people to achieve their goals in life.
 
"It's about providing understanding some concepts and values of whanaungatanga, universal principles which come from a tikanga Maori perspective, designed to help guide them in decision making," says Mr Robertson.
 
He says in only it's second day, the waananga managed to capture the twelve men aged between 20 and 30 years.
 
The workshop is divided amongst different organisations, who provide useful information to all participants.
 
"We have a Maori health provider who comes in and talks to them about nutrition and looking after themselves, fitness and those sorts of things. We have another organisation that comes in and talks about drug and alcohol abuse. "
 
Te Waananga o Aotearoa also join the contingent, to talk about free courses that might be available to them. There's also budgeting advice and a kapahaka and whaikorero component.

Skills learnt from this segment will be put to good use when it comes to the powhiri on Saturday, where each participant receives a certificate and can invite their whanau to come along.
 
Mr Robertson says "They actually participate in the powhiri, using haka powhiri and mihimihi from what they've learnt over the week."
 
"That's a great way to end the week."
 
He says the first Tikanga Maori course held at the end of last year was was very emotional.
 
"It's great for the guys to be able to show what they've learnt during the week in front of their whanau."