Tuesday 15th August 2017
Tasha Hohaia - Māori Party Candidate for Manurewa

Listen Up: A Youth Voice on Youth Offending.

“This is why we, as Maori Party, need to be in parliament because our voice needs to be heard on youth offending, especially when it significantly affects our people.” Hohaia states following the National Party’s policy on boot camps for young offenders Hohaia firmly advocates the well-being of the child, a whanau ora approach and a long term approach for the country.

“I spent some time in a youth prison last week and it breaks my heart that many don't see their dignity. I also spent a few years getting a law degree because I wanted to represent Māori and Pasifika youth offenders. I saw then and I see now that we need a mind-shift.”

Hohaia adds “We need to think, and look at what ‘actually’ reduces re-offending. That's what makes communities feel safe, and that's what my people in my communities have told me they want. ‘Tough on crime’ doesn't ‘actually’ equate to people feeling safe in the long run.”

As one of the younger candidates in the party, Hohaia has not shied away from speaking on behalf of her younger demographic. “They are speaking about us, not on behalf of us. This is why we need to be in parliament, so we can advocate for progressive models. We need to be in parliament so we can look after NZ's youth and children. All of them.”

The Maori Party plan to increase funding and resources to support restorative justice programmes, expand the passports to life initiative to paroled offenders and prisoners on probation to get a driver’s license, ID, bank account or CV; and support long term reintegration and rehabilitation.

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