25 October 2007

Maori Rise To Child Abuse Challenge

What began as an informal conversation among friends concerned for the wellbeing of New Zealand kids has snowballed into a coordinated Maori effort to prevent child abuse and family violence.

Last month Maori from across the country came together voluntarily and held a "think-tank" in Wellington and as a result have set up a trust to improve the health and prosperity of tamariki and their whanau in New Zealand.

Te Kahui Manaaki Tamariki (Te Kahui means the gathering of forces) represents a group of individuals who were prepared to say enough is enough', says one of the Trust's founders, Paora Maxwell.

"Every day the media bombards us with stories about children being abused or dying at the hands of someone in their family. We hear and read the reports that say that Maori children are five times more likely to be killed than non-Maori and it's so easy to literally Œturn off' and say: ŒWhat can I do? It's too hard'.

"A small group of us got together and realised there is something we can do. We can take responsibility for what's happening in our own communities, and provide a strategic Maori voice to promote, advocate and lobby for effective solutions to child homicide and family violence."

The cause is quickly gaining momentum and over the past few weeks has attained critical mass getting the support of more than twenty national Maori organisations including endorsement by Te Putahi Paaho which comprises ten national organisations including;

(a) Te Whakaruruhau o Nga Reo Irirangi;

(b) Kawea Te Rongo (Mäori Journalists);

(c) Te Ataarangi Inc;

(d) Te Kohanga Reo National Trust;

(e) Te Tauihu o Nga Wananga;

(f) New Zealand Mäori Council;

(g) Nga Kaiwhakapumau I Te Reo;

(h) Mäori Women's Welfare League; and

(i) Te Runanga o Nga Kura Kaupapa,

(j) Nga Aho Whakaari (Mäori Television Producers)

(k) National Mäori Congress

A number of other high-profile individuals such as Ella Henry, Merepeka Raukawa-Tait, Donna Awatere-Huata and Chief Justice Eddie Durie have also joined Te Kahui Manaaki Tamariki.

Following the trust's second hui this weekend in Auckland, it will announce some of the innovative strategies it's developed to coordinate some of the various organisations already working in this area and to advocate for tamariki and their families throughout the country.

Paora says everyone's committed to ensuring that the trust and the work it does is around for the long haul.

"So far we've been putting our money where our mouth is and covering the costs out of our own pockets or sponsoring one-another to help with travel costs and so on, we are all prepared to do this in the establishment phase of the Trust" he said.

And he says it's crucial that the umbrella organisation remains non-governmental and a-political so that they can retain their own independence if they're to bring about change in New Zealand.

ENDS

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