Our Story

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Pūwhakamua is a tikanga Māori reintegration service specifically for people who require support to return and readapt into the community. The Tikanga Aroro Charitable Trust, endorsed by Te Arawa elders, sponsors the Pūwhakamua concept which has been providing a pathway for men released to the community by the New Zealand Parole Board. These men observe stringent parole conditions alongside our own rigorous set of site rules, with high levels of accountability for the duration of their stay.

Pūwhakamua provides a live-in residential programme that, through kaupapa Māori teachings, has contributed to improving the health, wellbeing and quality of life for men that have returned to the community. It has garnered support from key public agencies including the New Zealand Police, The Department of Corrections and the Ministry of Social Development. The purpose of Pūwhakamua is to encourage and create an environment that provides:

• A strong sense of self-worth and identity and a place of belonging
• A clear understanding of place and purpose and respect for people and the environment
• Tools and strategies which promote and strengthen positive thinking and behaviours
• Cognitive behavioural therapy to break the cycle of offending and develop success stories
• Guidance and mentoring to become a pro-social member of their family and local community

These learning aspects are critical in a programme which has proven to shift cognitive distortions and break the cycle of criminal behaviours. Through cultural practices they learn to be proud, disciplined, polite, community focused and kind to others. 

Many of the facilitators have their own lived experience of the justice system; this has proven to be a significant point of difference during their engagement with men who are currently in prison. The facilitators build instant rapport through shared experiences – this removes pre-conceived barriers and expedites the acceptance of the programme and its purpose. Participants can see firsthand that there is life after release; with the right pro-social support networks, fundamental change is possible for everyone.