Issue 80

Ngā Hau e Whā
From the Editor

In the last issue of TE KARAKA we featured an opinion piece by Ward Kamo entitled “Māori victims of crime”. In this column Ward argued that rather than focusing on criminals and the justice system, we should focus on the victims of their crimes – often the offenders’ families and communities – and provide support and skills to help them break the cycle. This view has sparked considerable reaction, not only among our TE KARAKA readers, but much further afield. In this issue we hear an alternative viewpoint from Dr Moana Jackson, who has been actively involved in mahi relating to Māori and the criminal justice system for several decades. Feedback is always welcomed and encouraged, so if you feel strongly about anything we feature, please send us your thoughts.

From the CEO

It is hard to believe that Christmas is just around the corner once again. As we fast approach the end of another year, I find myself looking back and reflecting on these past 12 months with mixed emotions. On a personal level, 2018 has been tinged with sadness and a huge sense of loss, with the passing of my mother a few months back, and the adjustment to a new normal for our whānau without our beloved Pani. Professionally, it is with a sense of pride at the achievements and progress we have made in the delivery of meaningful outcomes for whānau on many levels.

Whenua

In 1863 Dr James Hector recruited Henare Paramata and five other Māori guides for his Fiordland expedition. On 26 August 1863 Paramata guided Hector into Whakatipu Waitai, where they were looked after by Tūtoko and his whānau. The snowy peak of Mount Tūtoko, which was named by Hector, can be seen in the background.

The Wisdom of Drug Testing

I write this article the day after the University of Canterbury Students’ Association Tea Party, a big dress-up-themed party on Ilam Fields where students drink in the sun and dance to bands and bass. A few friends asked me if I had put on any sunscreen. I replied that I was a “hearty brown boy” and didn’t need to, so naturally I’m pretty red – sunscreen, water, food, break-out spaces, and support workers were all provided to those smart enough to use them. All told, everyone had a great day. However, one thing was missing – drug testing kits. And by that I mean kits to check that drugs are not cut with dangerous chemicals, rather than kits to test whether you’ve been taking drugs.

Issue 80

Ngā Hau e Whā From the Editor

From the CEO

Whenua

The Wisdom of Drug Testing

Ngā Hau e Whā
From the Editor