Maori protocol 'degrades women' says probation officer

A probation officer says she broke Maori protocol by refusing to sit at the back of the room during a ceremony because it was degrading towards women.

Josie Bullock's protest, at a poroporoaki (farewell) to prisoners last month at the probation service office in Panmure, is being investigated by the Corrections Department.

A complaint was made by the Auckland Area Maori Staff Network, a group connected to the department.

Ms Bullock was asked to move from her front-row seat to the back of the room after being told that Maori custom required women to sit behind the men.

But she refused, insisting she would remain in her seat.

Yesterday, the Herald obtained letters connected to the case, including one Ms Bullock wrote to the department.

In it, Ms Bullock said she made the stance in protest at the sexism of such ceremonies, which "relegates women to the back".

Reasons she had been given for the protocol included that men were "like Gods" and that men sat in front to "protect the women".

Ms Bullock thought that the "sexism" could set a bad example for male offenders.

It could give prisoners a "belief of superiority" over women.

She compared the move to "blacks" being made to sit at the back of the bus, "as they were forced to do in the American South in the 1950s".

What was particularly degrading, she said, was that a boy aged 10 sat at the front of the room while she was asked to move.

"I found this humiliating and degrading."

The Maori Staff Network said in a letter that Ms Bullock's actions were insensitive and created an uncomfortable situation, particularly for Maori staff members involved.

The farewell was to acknowledge the work of the offenders and the staff.

The network said her actions undermined that intention and that her behaviour was deliberate and unacceptable.

A letter addressed to Ms Bullock from Community Probation Service acting regional manager Paul Tomlinson said the matter was "very serious".

The department's code of conduct said that there was a need to maintain a "politically neutral" public service.

He warned her that if staff did not do this they could lose their job.

He proposed a meeting to receive Ms Bullock's response to the complaint.

When the Herald tried to contact Ms Bullock at work yesterday, a Corrections staff member said she was on leave.

The department refused to reveal the outcome of the meeting, which was held last week.