How the navigator scheme could work

John Tamihere, the chief executive of Te Whanau o Waipareira and an advocate of Whanau Ora, suggests how a "navigator" might work with people under Whanau Ora in the following case studies.

TIME FOR TOUGH LOVE
A 35-year-old mother with four children ranging in age from 3 to 18, each who have a different father. The mother has a new partner, both have addiction issues.

John Tamihere: It's not all going to be lovey-dovey outcomes. This is a case where you're going to have to use tough love. We might have to accept that the babies are going to have to be taken out of their care for 28 days. Waipareira will come and get them - the difference is we're not the State, we're not Child, Youth and Family, we're not the police. We will say to them "we're part of your community and we love your babies".

There will be times when people have such severe behavioural problems we're going to have to say "you won't get your babies back". We hope that we can work with them so that they can get their babies back.

In this case the mother would be the primary person the navigator works with because of her connection to the children. To see real results workers must stress their commitment to the family. You can't walk away, they've had case managers, been through justice, had teachers. You're there to help them move towards better lives.

BUILDING SUPPORT
18-year-old female gang leader who self-harmed. Grandmother is the primary caregiver but 18-year-old is in and out of Child, Youth and Family homes because of behavioural problems.

John Tamihere: You identify other members of the extended whanau that are positive individuals. You use the nanny [grandmother] and build support around her. Then you look at [18-year-old's] strengths - what is she interested in? She's very likely got an addiction issue so you get professional people around her. The ideal outcome is you get an 18-year-old girl who is loving and caring of her nanny.

ON ROAD TO MAYHEM
Male Maori, 20, with firearms and assault convictions. Dropped out of school at 14 and doesn't have a job.

John Tamihere: He needs a bit more intensity because this boy is on the road to mayhem. First you put him on a tikanga [cultural programme]; he's basically got no self-esteem and has been told he's a dummy. He's probably got health issues and may have had alcohol foetal syndrome. Get him the professional help he needs. Again, you look through the wider whanau for strong role models because all of us want to feel like we belong to something that's positive. The outcome for this boy is he does not become a continual feature of the criminal justice system.