Balance sought for powhiri

The Corrections Department intends to develop a policy that will find a balance between respecting Maori protocol and giving women the same rights as men in ceremonies such as the powhiri.

The plans follow an incident last December when female probation officer Josie Bullock broke Maori protocol by refusing to sit behind men at a farewell ceremony for prisoners.

The Auckland woman, who has worked for the department for eight years, said the protocol was sexist, humiliating and could give male prisoners a belief of superiority over woman.

Her refusal to move from her front row, male-only seat, led to a disciplinary investigation that this week resulted in an oral warning.

Corrections chief executive Barry Matthews said Ms Bullock's warning was for the way she handled the situation, not her beliefs.

Mr Matthews said there had since been a similar incident but the woman had agreed to stand back with others while the department worked on a policy.

Mr Matthews did not know how long the policy would take to complete but said staff, Maori and other government departments would be consulted.

He would also see how prominent women such as the Prime Minister dealt with the issue.

NZ First leader Winston Peters said he was aware of Ms Bullock's refusal to sit behind men at the ceremony and he felt her stance was "entirely right".

"Maoridom is getting a bit sick and tired of males prancing around like peacocks." He said powhiri had become "costly token gestures, with a rent-a-kaumatua".