19 November 2007

Maori Child Abuse Summit Will Push Boundaries

Anglican Minister and veteran Maori activist Dr Hone Kaa said today that he is thrilled with planning for his Maori Child Abuse Hui which will be in held in Auckland in ten days.

"We are working closely with Te Kahui Manaaki Tamariki and Maori health and social service providers from Waikato North. We have developed a programme that is a blend of input from Maori experts, and workshops where practitioners will pull together a plan to reduce numbers of Maori children being abused in this area."

The Summit will open with a special memorial Church Service on Sunday 25 November.

"The Service is an opportunity for everyone to share in this important kaupapa. A whole range of high profile New Zealanders will read, sing and share their thoughts and passions. It also coincides with White Ribbon Day which is when we are encouraged to wear a white ribbon to show that we do not condone men's violence against women." Dr Kaa said today.

Project Manager Anton Blank has been meeting with Maori experts and practitioners around the region.

"We have had nothing but support, and the ideas we're going to hear will challenge a lot of traditional thinking. Maori are saying very clearly that they have the answers and expertise. This hui will also expose the diversity that exists within Maori whanau. Maori gay, lesbian and transgender communities are involved in child abuse prevention in one form or other. I'm really excited about their involvement and contribution." Anton said.

Te Kahui Manaaki Tamariki is a trust formed after a meeting of concerned Maori in Otara on 4 November.

"A group of us began meeting independently of Nga Mana Ririki which goes to shows how concerned Maori people are about child abuse. It's a movement amongst our people." Te Kahui Manaaki Tamariki convenor Paora Maxwell said. "At our inaugural meeting we pledged full support for Dr Kaa's summit. One of our member's television personality Ella Henry will be lending her expertise as a facilitator."

+++

Memorial Service

4.00pm, Sunday 25 November, at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, top of Khyber Pass Rd, Auckland.

This is a special church service, where we remember those children who have been killed as a result of child abuse. The service will feature readings and reflections from:

. Broadcaster Carole Hirschfeld

. Journalist Julian Wilcox

. Broadcaster and child advocate Judy Bailey

. Comedian Mike King

. Songstress Hinewehi Mohi

. Broadcaster John Campbell

. Health Worker and songstress Leonie Matoe

Everyone welcome.

+++

The Summit

Monday 26 November - Wednesday 28 November.

St John's Theological College, 202-210 St John's Rd, Meadowbank, Auckland

This three day Summit is open to Maori who work to prevent child abuse. The Summit will be a combination of presentations and workshops but it is essentially a working hui. Maori from Waikato North are being invited to develop a strategic plan to reduce Maori child abuse in this region.

The days have been themed as follows:

. Day One: Issues for wahine

. Day Two: Issues for tane

. Day three: Issues for rangatahi

Workshops in the morning and afternoon will focus on the following issues:

. Advocacy

. Communications

. Education

. Research

The information gathered from participants during the workshops will form the basis of the strategic plan. Politicians and decision makers are invited to join us at 2.00pm on Day Three to review the plan developed at Nga Mana Ririki.

+++

Summit Programme

Day One (Monday 26 November)

Wahine

9.00am

Welcome

9.30am

Community Action/Liberation Theology

Dr Hone Kaa

10.00am

A Profile of Maori Child Abuse

Di Grenell

10.30am

Morning tea

11.00am

Workshops

12.00pm

Lunch

1.00pm

Panel

. Lorinda Harding (Manager, Child, Youth and Family)

. Hera Clarke (Manager, Maori Community Counselling Services)

. Mereana Ruri (Children's Commissioner's Office)

. Riripeti Haretuku (Maori Cot Death Association)

. Hannah Tatere (Transgender/ NZ Prostitutes Collective)

. Mariameno Kapa (Manager, Ngati Hine Social Services)

2.00pm

Workshops

3.00pm

Afternoon Tea

3.30pm

Summary

Dr Hone Kaa

Rob Cooper

Day Two (Tuesday 27 November)

Tane

9.00am

Welcome

9.30am

The Smoke-free Sector

How Maori health workers have reduced Maori smoking rates

Shane Bradbrook

Te Reo Marama

10.00am

Working intensively with Maori boys and girls

Maori Psychologists Sharon Rickard and Tereki Stewart

11.00am

Workshops

12.00pm

Lunch

1.00pm

Panel

. Joe Waru (Fathering expert)

. Dr Rhys Jones (Doctor and Researcher, University of Auckland)

. Neil Campbell (Regional Manager, Dept of Corrections and Prisons)

. Paora Maxwell (Convenor, Te Kahui Manaaki Tamariki)

. Eriata Peri (NZ Aids Foundation, Gay Commentator)

2.00pm

Workhops

3.00pm

Afternoon Tea

3.30pm

Reflections on the day

Dr Hone Kaa

Rob Cooper

Day Three (Wednesday 28 November)

Rangatahi

9.00am

Welcome

Emerging themes

9.30am

Presentation from Maori teenagers

10.30am

Morning tea

11.00am

Workshops

12.00pm

Lunch

1.00pm

Summary of plan

2.00pm

Presentation of plan

4.00pm

Close

+++

Speakers and presenters

Dr Hone Kaa

Hone Kaa is a Senior Anglican Minister, veteran Maori Activist and seasoned Maori media commentator.

Rob Cooper

Rob is the CEO of the Ngati Hine Health Trust in Northland, and manages more than two hundred health and social services staff.

Di Grennell

Di is CEO of Amokura, a unique anti-violence programme in Whangarei, sponsored by the tribes of Northland.

Shane Kawenata Bradbrook

Shane is the director of Te Reo Marama (the Maori Smoke-free Coalition) and is an outspoken advocate in the Maori tobacco control sector.

+++

Sponsors

The Anglican Church in Aotearoa

Tamaki Healthcare

Ministry of Health

Te Whanau o Waipareira Trust

Ngati Hine Health Trust

Children's Commissioner

ENDS

© Scoop Media