Participants in a mock court session in Tauranga District Court have tested referral processes to inform the design of a new Te Ao Mārama whānau wraparound support service.
About 20 people were in Judge Melinda Mason’s courtroom for the 23 January session, including iwi design partner representatives from Ngāti Ranginui Iwi Society, court staff and leaders and Te Ao Mārama Programme kaimahi.
Two Adult Criminal List referral scenarios were tested in the court. Participants and observers then had opportunities to ask questions aimed at improving understanding of the referral processes and court interactions.
Joy Ngatoko, Ngāti Ranginui Te Ao Mārama Team Lead, said the mock court had answered a few important questions she would highlight for her team, to guide training and practice.
Joy (Ngāti Ranginui, Ngai Te Rangi, Ngāti Awa, Te Rarawa, Te Aupōuri), has worked in the health and social sectors, including local government, for the past 32 years as a social worker and whānau ora navigator-trainer for the Western and Eastern Bay of Plenty. She is looking forward to the service design – based on the concept of Whānau Ora – moving into its test and learn phase so that they could start supporting whānau in court.
“I love the Te Ao Mārama concept. It’s needed, long overdue and a beautiful kaupapa. The idea of applying a whānau ora lens enables a holistic approach to well-being that focuses on strengthening whānau as a collective, rather than just the individuals,” she said.
“It is rooted in Māori values and emphasises self-determination, resilience and intergenerational well-being. Te Ao Mārama provides a platform of opportunities for whānau, court and community to connect in positive ways and work collaboratively with purpose, to ensure whānau can feel supported and heard as they navigate the court system.
“There is a better way forward for families. I’m really excited …”
Maree Deane, Manager Justice Services – Bay of Plenty, described the mock court session as an exciting milestone for Tauranga District Court.
She paid tribute to Ngāti Ranginui Te Ao Mārama leaders, acknowledging their contribution and knowledge as “immense” and the seamless way iwi were working with the court.
She was also very proud of her team and their approach to implementing Te Ao Mārama.
“I am very confident that we will be a success story,” she said.
Judge Mason described working with Ngāti Ranginui to plan the launch of Te Ao Mārama in Tauranga as a rewarding process.
“On 23 January, we got one step closer with our mock court session. It was awesome to see Joy and the team from Ngāti Ranginui get involved as participants in the courtroom and see things from a different perspective, and to see the overwhelming commitment from court staff as well,” she said.
“We have commenced the next phase now, which involves court observations and regular meetings between the Ngāti Ranginui team and the judiciary.
“Those meetings have confirmed we are very much in agreement about where the team’s services will be most preciously utilised.
“We acknowledge we have a lot of learning and trial and error to go through but the commitment of stakeholders, judiciary and Ngāti Ranginui to embrace and adopt the principles of Te Ao Mārama in Tauranga Moana is high.”
