Our approach and how it works
We are now entering the fourth generation of gang whānau, with youth gangs comprised predominantly of the children of gang members on the same pathway to poor outcomes in health, education, employment, criminal offending and wellbeing. The current approach of suppression to reduce gang membership and gang violence is not working, and there is a lack of targeted policies to provide social or economic support for gangs.
Our approach is premised on the need to penetrate, engage and mobilise marginalised communities. We believe that no one is hard to reach if we really want to reach them. It depends on whether we intend to reach them and whether we are prepared to do things differently.
We draw on the principles of community mobilisation, initially used in the delivery of public health initiatives, which are designed to help communities build services and initiatives for themselves.
We recognise that every community is unique and we work with local leaders to develop solutions that address the issues that are important to them while drawing on their strengths, and developing the capacity and capability to lead change for themselves.
Our approach is premised on the need to penetrate, engage and mobilise marginalised communities. We believe that no one is hard to reach if we really want to reach them. It depends on whether we intend to reach them and whether we are prepared to do things differently.
We draw on the principles of community mobilisation, initially used in the delivery of public health initiatives, which are designed to help communities build services and initiatives for themselves.
We recognise that every community is unique and we work with local leaders to develop solutions that address the issues that are important to them while drawing on their strengths, and developing the capacity and capability to lead change for themselves.
Our community initiatives for hard to reach whānau
We have worked with hard to reach community leaders on a range of initiatives and programmes, supporting their vision for a different and healthier future for themselves, their children and mokopuna.
Click on any of the links below to learn more about our work in communities across Aotearoa New Zealand:
Click on any of the links below to learn more about our work in communities across Aotearoa New Zealand:
- Māori suicide prevention initiatives
- ‘Mana Mahi’ leadership programme for tāne
- Mana Wāhine wānanga
- Kahukura, the marae-based drug rehabilitation programme
- Youth development
- Health and wellbeing (including educational sessions, physical health checks and Covid-19 vaccinations).
Local and national hui
Utilising our approach of penetration, engagement and mobilisation, we have held dozens of local hui as well as five national hui with hard to reach community leaders and whānau. The aim of our hui is to support hard to reach community leaders to design, develop and deliver community-led solutions.
We also work towards strengthening:
We also work towards strengthening:
- health and wellbeing, including building health literacy, health checks, Primary Health Organisation registrations, Maori healing, Alcohol and other Drug services
- education, training and employment options, including building a culture of education in the home and driver license training
- parenting education and support, including wānanga and training as Mellow Parenting facilitators
- cultural identity, including te reo Māori, tikanga Māori, kapa haka
- community resources and connections, including mara kai, reconnection between kaumatua and hard to reach communities
Why community outreach matters
Hard to reach communities experience high rates of violence, suicide, homicide and methamphetamine addiction. Many have experienced intergenerational trauma and violence due to being placed into state care and imprisonment. Their overall health literacy is often very low and their distrust of authority means they do not utilise the available health services. The services themselves can also be designed and delivered in ways that make them inaccessible or hard to reach, including service providers who have negative perceptions about, and struggle to engage with, the very populations they are supposed to support.
We've published articles, delivered presentations and are developing an evidence base of what works to mobilise and effect positive change.
We've published articles, delivered presentations and are developing an evidence base of what works to mobilise and effect positive change.
Who we work with
Our work has been supported by several government agencies and local health and social service providers. They include:
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These government departments and service providers have supported our community mobilisation approach, used to help hard to reach communities design, develop and deliver services and initiatives for themselves.
We have also worked closely with Police and other agencies. The following reference from then-Rotorua Police Area Commander Inspector Phil Taikato demonstrates Police support for our work and the need for a long-term approach to influence pro-social change. |
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Learn more
Get in touch if you are interested in learning more about our work or how we can best support you. Simply head over to our contact form or call Harry Tam on +64 (0)27 433 6217.