TE ŌHANGA MAURI #151 - THE HERITAGE OF THE LAND: TREASURING OUR TAMARIKI AS TAONGA
A Divine Heritage
When we speak of the future of Taitokerau, we are speaking of our tamariki. They are not merely "ours" in a possessive sense, nor are they a burden to be managed by state systems. They are a divine heritage, a gift from the Pure Source that carries the full weight of our ancestors' dreams and the potential of the stars. To treasure them is to recognise their inherent tapu, or sacredness, which is the foundational principle of a healthy society.
Spiritual Foundation
"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward." – Psalm 127:3 (NKJV)
Te Reo Māori (from the Hebrew): "Nana, he taonga tupu nō Io ngā tamariki: ko te hua o te kōpū tāna utu."
Addressing Historical Failure
In Taitokerau, we must be candid about the "Babylonian" systems that have failed this divine heritage. Between 1950 and 2019, hundreds of thousands of children in Aotearoa were placed in institutional care where the risk of victimisation was heightened by a systemic lack of oversight. The state and faith-based agencies often prioritised their own reputations over the safety of the child, allowing predatory individuals to be shielded. This institutional failure created a "whakapapa of violence," where 29% of survivors of abuse in care later found themselves in the criminal justice system.
Restoring Whare Tapa Whā
Eliminating abuse is not just about mopping up the damage, it is about strengthening the four walls of our collective meeting house. Sir Mason Durie’s Te Whare Tapa Whā model teaches us that health requires the integration of spiritual, mental, physical, and family wellbeing. Taha Wairua (spiritual wellbeing) is the foundation; when a child’s connection to their life force and ancestors is broken, they lose their sense of belonging. Restoration involves reconnecting with that mauri and establishing safety through the Economic Pā.
Learning from Global Benchmarks
While we push for accountability through measures like banning character references in court, we must look at what actually works to prevent harm before it starts. High-performing nations like Sweden and the United Kingdom have shown that the most significant reductions in violence occur through universal family support and proactive prevention models. In the UK, offender-focused prevention like the "Stop It Now!" helpline has been effective in intervening with potential offenders before an act occurs.
Proactive Prevention Models
Evidence confirms that school-based programs are effective, making children five times more likely to use self-protective skills in risk situations. In Taitokerau, we are prioritising Kaupapa Māori models like Korowai Tumanako, which combine clinical expertise with our own cultural wisdom. These programs focus on healing the whole whānau, realising that the family is the primary site of both safety and restoration.
Realising the Thriving Land
Our national strategy, Te Aorerekura, represents a strategic shift toward primary prevention and "ora," or thriving. By 2025, we are seeing the adoption of "mana-enhancing" practices across our court workforces and regional partnerships for service design. This is how we realise Te Whenua Taurikura, the thriving land, where every child is safe, supported, and free to thrive within a society that has no tolerance for violence.
