(L-R): Programme Facilitators Nathan Toi and Rupana Keno, and Principal Facilitator Alex Trlin in Te Kaha.

For the first time, the Short Rehabilitation Programme for Men was delivered in the small, remote Eastern Bay of Plenty community of Te Kaha. Delivered at the Hariki Whare, the venue provided a therapeutic and wairua-enhancing environment close to the moana.

“The participants felt a real connection with the environment and surroundings,” says Programme Facilitator Rupana Keno. “This provided the opportunity to facilitate transformative change within the group.”

The Hariki Whare was established as part of the Apanui Justice Programme, a joint initiative between Te Whānau a Apanui iwi and the High Impact Innovation Programme team, to redesign how criminal justice services are delivered for Te Whānau a Apanui to improve outcomes for whānau.

“During wānanga in 2020, whānau identified many difficulties when interacting with the justice sector, including accessing rehabilitation.”

In response, the Hariki Whare was opened in 2022 as a multi-purpose hub to provide services to the community. Taking a ‘let’s take the service to the people’ approach, the Hariki Whare now functions as a satellite office for several agencies.

Rupana says being able to deliver the programme at Hariki Whare has a hugely positive impact on the way the participants engage with the content.

“The graduates both acknowledged the importance of undertaking treatment on their whenua,” says Rupana.

“They said the learnings they have taken from the programme were helping them make changes which will have a positive impact on future generations of their whānau.”

Rupana extends his heartfelt thanks to those involved in making the delivery of programmes at the Hariki Whare a possibility.

“Tēnā koutou mo ngā tautoko, manaaki me te aroha: Apanui Justice Programme, Te Whānau a Apanui iwi, High Impact Innovation Programme team, Principal Facilitator Alex Trlin, Practice Supervisor Nathan Toi, and Service Manager Ian Miller and his ‘hearty’ Opotiki Probation Team.”