Taranaki race rift healing 'urgent'

By ALISON HORWOOD

Urgent steps are needed to mend the rift between Maori and police in the Taranaki township where Steven Wallace was shot dead, Race Relations Conciliator Dr Rajen Prasad says.

"To report that Maori police relationships in Waitara were at a low ebb would be an understatement," says Dr Prasad in a 39-page report issued yesterday.

While he commends police on the steps taken to improve the relationship, Dr Prasad says they must establish joint protocols with Maori to manage any future crises.

Dr Prasad was invited to Taranaki to listen to the concerns of several members of the community in the aftermath of the shooting.

Mr Wallace, aged 23, was shot by an off-duty constable in the main street of Waitara on April 30. An internal police investigation found the officer was not at fault and a Police Complaints Authority report is still to be released.

Dr Prasad says a perception among some people that police treated Maori differently, and were therefore racist, is "of serious concern" to his office.

The police are aware of the problems and had established training community liaison programmes, Dr Prasad says.

Race relations were no worse in Taranaki than other places, but he made several recommendations to address a "systems failure" of institutions in dealing with Maori-Pakeha relations.

His chief recommendation is the establishment of an institution of credible, skilled and informed people - known as the Taranaki Group - responsible for leadership of individuals and institutions in Taranaki.

Supported by local government, it would ensure all programmes, activities, and services were non-discriminatory.

He also recommended better relations between iwi and hapu, a speedy settlement of Taranaki Treaty of Waitangi claims and community dialogue on the recent events in Waitara to hasten the healing process.

Dr Prasad says local people are concerned not only about the shooting, but about the historical losses in Taranaki and its economic downturn over the past 15 years.

The shooting has been a catalyst for the communities to reflect on historical Maori-Pakeha relationships, Maori under-achievement, unemployment, poor health and and other social statistics.

Taranaki's race relations are particularly poignant because of the area's violent history and its ongoing impact. There is evidence to suggest the greatest losses of the land wars of the 1860s were experienced by Taranaki Maori.

Despite the passing of 140 years, many Maori still feel the sense of disaffection felt by their ancestors, he says.

In the past 15 years, Waitara had been hard hit by closures such as the freezing works and car assembly plants. It is estimated that more than 2000 jobs have been lost.

Forty-nine per cent of the labour force in Waitara is unemployed, almost half of them Maori. This has eroded the mana and standing of many people.

"Many people felt that those in positions of power and decision making were not listening to Waitara, leading them to conclude that it was a forgotten town and people."

Many believed the Taranaki newspaper, The Daily News - a primary source of news - took a negative stance on Maori activities.

Others opposed street names honouring people involved in land confiscation.

During talks with some senior people in Taranaki, there were also opinions "not favourably disposed towards Maori."

New Plymouth District Mayor Claire Stewart said the Waitara shooting had been traumatic for Taranaki people, but she felt Dr Prasad's report had shown them that good could come out of it.

Dr Prasad's presentation had been well received and it had been an emotional experience for many who attended.

"Taranaki has some unusual and complex issues in terms of relationships ... and it has led to a situation that Dr Prasad said was different to anywhere else in New Zealand.

"But it is time, and I think his report provides us with a way forward," Ms Stewart said.

She said they would accept Mr Prasad's offer to set up the Taranaki Group, but did not know when it would happen.

Superintendent Mark Lammas, commander of the central police district, said that while police had a very good relationship with many Maori in Taranaki, it was fair to say it was tenuous with some groups.

Mr Lammas said police had been working to re-establish a relationship of trust with Maori since the shooting, and would continue to do so.

He said the community could make "significant progress" if Dr Prasad's recommendations were implemented.