Maungaraki community welcomes Corrections relocation

From: Maungaraki Community Association (MCA)
22 August 2016, For immediate release

The Maungaraki community welcomed the announcement from Corrections today that a child sex offender placed in the community has been relocated.

President of the Maungaraki Community Association (MCA) Thomas Maharaj said today “Maungaraki is a safe, child-friendly community and is full of young families who enjoy a relative crime-free and peaceful existence”.

The 2013 Census found that Maungaraki’s demographic included a significantly higher number of young families with children than the regional and national average.

“Maungaraki is a fantastic place to live for families”, Maharaj said today. “While released offenders have to live somewhere, this placement by Corrections, in a community full of kids and with 31 young children in immediate vicinity, was unsuitable”.

“Over 400 people attended two community meetings about this matter and communicated calmly and clearly to Corrections why this placement wasn’t suitable. We’re disappointed this situation arose in the first place, but welcome their decision to move him out.”

“Maungaraki is a great kiwi community where people still know their neighbours and look out for each other”, Maharaj said. “It’s warm and welcoming and with three great schools in close proximity and a plethora of early childhood education options, continues to be one of the best communities for families in Wellington.”

The community is planning further meetings focusing on keeping children and the wider community safe.

ENDS

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