Landmark rulings are taking place, creating precedent and momentum for other care workers to follow suit. Women mental health workers are hot on their heels lodging claims for equal pay against their government employer.
Other sectors of our most vulnerable however have not been so successful in having their claims even heard.
Take for example the abuse of children in state care. Between the 1940s and early 1990s, about 100,000 children were taken into state care. More than half were Maori.
Many suffered physical, mental and sexual abuse while in the care of the state.
Many parties are supporting calls for an inquiry into the abuse, but the current Government is refusing.
Where do these victims go when the door has been closed on them? If they haven't been overwhelmed already by their trauma they limp to the courts whilst the rest of the nation get involved for them trying to pry the government inquiry door open.
The Human Rights Commission, Chief Human Rights Commissioner and all other Human Rights Commissioners, the Iwi Leaders Forum Co-Chairs, UNICEF and the Māori Women's Welfare League are amongst the many whom have signed an open letter calling on the Government to take action on this issue.
Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy believes it could be the worst human rights breach in our country's history and in fact may explain why so many Maori are in prison.
She is now calling on the UN to pressure the New Zealand government to open an inquiry.
On the note of Maori in prison or the criminal justice system, considering this state history and background, I'm saddened to see boot camps being positioned as an appropriate proposition for our children. It's old, tired and has not revolutionised the country in the past.
What's needed instead is a heart-felt desire to address the root causes of why children are in the criminal justice system in the first place.
They need their families, not cold concrete cages and grass paddocks. Their families need community support. Such families are calling for residential treatment programmes and support from the likes of the church (the Salvies). The Salvies want to give it. Such a project has previously proven successful but is not being supported currently by the government.
We need to fund this end of the spectrum, prevention and rehabilitation, instead of the other end of the system where we proposition placing children into adult prisons contrary to international convention.
I'm heartened and excited to read different parties' policies on the justice system (i.e., The Opportunities Party) and to see significant focus on prevention and rehabilitation as solutions. We need more of this redemptive and restorative spirit in New Zealand and many in New Zealand know it's right and are calling for it. It's time.
■ Jacoby Poulain is a Hastings district councillor, a board member of the Hawke's Bay District Health Board and is on the EIT Council.
