Lessons in transformation: "You gotta smile at the little f…ers"

By KIm Workman

Last night, Maori Television screened the first of a two part programme dealing with the issue of family violence and child abuse.  ‘Tamariki Ora -  A New Beginning’ was a defining moment for Maori.  It showed Maori men acknowledging that the abuse they received as children, turned them into abusers of their own children.  But it also showed the extent to which whanau (families) are acknowledging the issues, forging their own solutions, and actively working within their whanau and the community to encourage positive, loving relationships.

I recall in my own marae (*meeting house) , less than 20 years ago, female elders defending a male elder who had sexually abused a visiting school child, as being a practise that was culturally acceptable in traditional times.  We all knew that was nonsense, but no one had the guts to face the issue head on.  Those days are now well and truly gone.

I wept tears at the programme – but they were tears of joy.  From this day on, no one will ever be able to say that Maori are failing to take responsibility for their own behaviour. 

Jun 29, 2010 Region: Pacific, Offender, Community, Transformation, Country:New Zealand, Prison, Correspondent:Kim Workman

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Grubby white collar crime: Life without an ethical framework

by Kim Workman

The New Zealand media has been awash over the last few days, with news about the unauthorised credit card purchases by former Ministers of the Crown, including purchases for flowers, massages, and a set of golf clubs.  While they have all paid the money back, it was a clear breach of parliamentary service rules.  It is a practise that in the business sector would result in withdrawal of credit privileges, and possible dismissal.

Former Cabinet Minister Shane Jones, although not the biggest spender, publicly confessed to hiring around 50 porno movies while staying at hotels, and has come in for special media treatment.  His wife and family are furious with him, and those of us who regard him as potentially a significant  Maori political statesman, are by turns, angry with him, and saddened.  I spoke with Shane yesterday at the airport, and we shared about the cathartic nature of confession, and its spiritual value. 

Jun 15, 2010 Case:White Collar, Country:New Zealand, Correspondent:Kim Workman

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Three strikes: A blot on our judicial landscape

from the article by Kim Workman:

The passing into law of the Sentencing and Parole Reform Bill (the three strikes legislation) last week, was a milestone of a kind – it marked the passing into law of arguably the worst piece of criminal justice legislation in New Zealand history. 

While the legislation is a shocker, the way in which it was managed through the legislation process is a case study in political manipulation of the democratic process, lending weight to Lord Acton’s  famous words, “All power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

Jun 07, 2010 Politics, Country:New Zealand, Region: Pacific, Correspondent:Kim Workman

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Three strikes 'means nothing to lose'

from Paul Easton's article in The Dominion Post:

He has visited more than 1000 jails but Rimutaka Prison's container cells were a first for a visiting expert, who says locking up criminals for life will spark violence.

The Prison Fellowship International president Ronald Nikkel, from Canada, was in Wellington this week, after the Sentencing and Parole Reform Act, or "three strikes" law, was passed.

Jun 02, 2010 Politics, Country:New Zealand, Region: Pacific

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