Our Services

---

The team at Pūwhakamua work closely with Ara Poutama Aotearoa to ensure that those referred to the service have completed their identified rehabilitation. Potential candidates for the kaupapa must express a strong desire to make lifestyle changes, to learn Māori culture and to engage in community based cultural activities where appropriate. Our core focus is to empower these men and their whānau through immersion in tikanga Māori and cultural focussed interventions and solutions.

Methods of support available include:

• Restorative Justice – supporting former offenders to make amends with those they have wronged
• Reconnecting whānau – supporting participants to renew ties with whānau and discover whakapapa
• Employment – supporting participants to gain qualifications and relevant skills for employment
• Identification – supporting participants to obtain identification; birth certificate, licence & banking
• Community involvement – supporting local marae and neighbours with community working bees
• Leadership opportunities – participants often become youth mentors and speakers at national forums 

The Tikanga Aroro Charitable Trust community facility has been operating for the last five years at a rural property in Rotorua, approximately 10km from the central city. We support anywhere between 10-14 men who have been released on parole by the New Zealand Parole Board, having completed their required rehabilitation and shown lasting commitment to positive change whilst in custody. To ensure a smooth reintegration process, some of the participants may be subject to either full or partial electronic monitoring. The site has four full-time employees; a General Manager and Operations Manager, and two Site Supervisors who are rostered on 24/7. All residents are:

• Randomly drug tested at least once a week
• Expected to participate fully in all programme activities
• Under a site wide curfew from 10pm to 6am regardless of their release conditions
• Prohibited from contact with gangs (we do not take active gang members)
• Prohibited from having internet access/cell phones (if directed within their release conditions)
• Prohibited from taking drugs, drinking alcohol and vaping/smoking cigarettes
• Prohibited from leaving the property without a member of staff or approved sponsor present
• Prohibited from playing loud music or having social gatherings at any time
• At risk of removal from the programme or even recall to prison if found to breach site rules 

Participants are transported to and from all community engagements, MSD and health appointments by a staff member in one of our dedicated company vehicles. All weekend visitors are vetted and approved by the General Manager before arriving at the property. All visitors (professional or social) are asked to sign in and out of the site as per health and safety guidelines. 

Our partnership with Rotorua Community Corrections has resulted in two dedicated Probation Officers for the programme who visit the site regularly, and all interactions are conducted cordially in line with the expectations of the Tikanga Aroro Charitable Trust. The residential site has an open-door policy for the Police which would allow them to enter the property without a warrant. Participants know to give their full co-operation and to show respect to any official that enters the site without notice. 

Since the start of operations in 2018, we have had no incidents recorded with Police, or complaints received from the general public. We live a peaceful existence and make a point of looking after our neighbours and ensuring the continued quiet enjoyment of their own property. The core values taught to our participants are love and kindness above all else.