Merepeka: Ngapari knew how to help

Merepeka Raukawa-Tait says anyone who can "stem the flow" of men in prisons, even a gang member, shouldn't be dismissed.

We don't only get older, many get wiser as well. I thought so this week when in conversation with two gang members. One Mongrel Mob, the other Black Power.

Yes, they can actually sit in the same room, put their heads together and plan a future for families different to what they experienced. The two leaders remain patched members.

Both are articulate and successful in their jobs. One a local government politician, the other a senior manager in the social service sector.

Although we were meeting to discuss a specific matter, obviously I took the opportunity to raise the recent brouhaha concerning Ngapari Nui.

He is the gang member who does volunteer work at Whanganui prison. He has been doing this for the past five years and only now has he suddenly become "unsuitable" to have anywhere near prisoners.

Once a gang member, always a gang member it appears to some people. Including the Corrections Minister Judith Collins.

And in many cases that's true. The men told me just because they're no longer active members they still maintain contact, and have strong relationships with gang families.

They call them "whanau". And they still care about them and their wellbeing. That was the reason for our meeting.

They know someone like Ngapari, who can relate to the gang members behind bars, will be more successful in promoting a health and wellbeing programme, than someone who has nothing in common with the prisoners. More successful than someone who comes strictly from a health background.

Who will probably already have made up their mind as to the worth of the prisoners. As is so often the case we saw a knee-jerk reaction from the authorities when some well-meaning individual pointed out to them Ngapari's presence, and work, at the prison.

The minister believes "the appropriate place for gang members in our prisons is behind bars". Not as a volunteer working to prevent those already incarcerated from reoffending.

Let's shoot the messenger no matter how effective they are at delivering a message. And Ngapari has been effective in his work.

This is evident by the number of people and organisations who have been speaking up on his behalf. Those who know him well. His work and what he has accomplished.

He has stood aside from making any comment. Good for him. When you consider it costs the taxpayer around $100,000 each year to house one male prisoner, you would think that anyone who can help stem the flow of men turning up each year to do their lag would be welcome. God knows Corrections have been woefully unsuccessful so far.

They should look around at other successful examples. Some of the best advocates for stopping domestic violence are women who have been on the receiving end.

With appropriate training, because many don't understand "power and control factors", they become skilled at reaching out and engaging with victims of domestic violence.

Women who have "live experience" speak the same language as victims. They offer help, support and honest understanding.

They are the ones who can break through to the women and give them the courage to leave their abusive relationship.

Ngapari Nui is not lazy, directionless or undeserving. He is simply volunteering to do what others have been paid to do, and failed at.