New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush, the Police Māori Focus Forum and iwi leaders, have launched Te Huringa o Te Tai – Police’s refreshed Māori strategy.

The new strategy replaces Turning of the Tide, which has been in place since 2012. It it designed to help Police realise the strategy’s vision of all Māori living full and prosperous lives, free from crime, victimisation, and road trauma.

Te Huringa o Te Tai is focused around three pou (pillars) that will strengthen Police’s ongoing relationship with tangata whenua.

“Police is uniquely placed to make a significant contribution to improving wellbeing outcomes for Māori. While we appreciate that we are on a journey, we are incredibly proud of what we have achieved together so far, but we know that there is more that we must do,” says Commissioner Bush.

“We acknowledge that Māori are over-represented in the criminal justice system as both victims and offenders. Police is actively working with our justice sector partners to improve outcomes for Māori. Te Huringa o Te Tai recognises that to be effective, Police must continue to build mutual trust and confidence with our Iwi Māori partners and support their aspirations, for the betterment of all New Zealanders.

“Through Te Huringa o Te Tai, Police recognises that Māori remain the population at most risk from harm from social and economic disadvantage.  This highlights that the focus must be on working with Māori to co-design sustainable and mana-enhancing interventions that reduce offending and victimisation and improve outcomes for Māori.

“Te Huringa o Te Tai is aligned with all of Police’s values, particularly the values of Empathy, Commitment to Māori and the Treaty and Valuing Diversity, and it will enable Police to achieve its organisational targets particularly Reducing Re-offending by Māori by 25% by 2025.

“The strategy, while having a direct impact for Māori, will also benefit all New Zealanders through improved service delivery and reducing crime and victimisation for all.”