He Ture Kia Tika: Let the Law Be Right, is a collaborative research project that envisages a justice system supporting whānau experiencing mental distress and/or addiction issues.
This research is based on a kaupapa Māori-led, co-production methodology, enhanced by the research skills and narratives of those with lived expertise/experience.
The participants reflect the intersectionality in the prison population and lift the voices of a diverse range of backgrounds including trans people and Māori.
Our findings are derived from five years of qualitative research from individuals and community-based organisations, based on their self-defined success. We concluded with eight important policy recommendations; these include:
1. Creating the foundations for a trauma-informed justice system
2. Strengthening prevention and early intervention
3. Develop a smorgasbord of trauma-informed services
4. Embedding networks of peer support everywhere
5. Enhance diversion and court processes through communication and consistency
6. Transform the fabric of prisons
7. Bolstering planning and support for reintegration
8. Address the growing experiences of financial hardship and poverty
Our recommendations are based on what does work well. They prioritise the voices of indigenous people and those with lived experience. We believe change is possible and would appreciate the opportunity to present our findings and lived expertise with you.
We potentially fit best within the sub theme of system barriers and system change although we can adapt our presentation to suit another sub-theme.
Presenters
Since completing her degree in education and criminology with multiple awards, Jessica has helped create better outcomes for people within the criminal justice system.
Her passion and drive to work in this area stems from her own personal experiences with mental health, drug addiction, and incarceration. Jessica served one year in prison for supply of methamphetamine before turning her life around in 2011.
She has been active in AOD recovery and justice reform networks since.
Her work has included curating the Just Speak/Kōrero Pono multi-media exhibition and working as a researcher on the AUT He Ture Kia Tika (Let The Law Be Right) project. Jess also brings insight and empathy to her role as a cultural report writer, which honours equitable practices through section 27 of the Aotearoa sentencing act.
Katey is an pākehā interdisciplinary social justice researcher exploring the spaces where law and health interface. She embarked on her PhD journey which was confirmed in 2010. Katey leads several research projects, advises on research ethics, teaches on mental health law, social justice issues and non-adversarial justice solutions, and supervises student research. Katey is also Chair of the Auckland University of Technology Ethics Committee. Katey is proud to work closely with the team on He Ture Kia Tika .
Stella is of Ngāi Tūhoe, Whakatōhea and Ngāti Whakaue descent. As a Māori researcher, Stella brings her love of working with Māori, young and old, to a range of topics. Her previous research has spanned mental health, addictions, palliative and end of life care, prostate cancer, lung cancer and specialist courts. A common thread across her research is a commitment to kaupapa Māori ideologies and turning her attention to highlighting inequities and areas for improvement that align with
David has extensive lived experience of mental health distress, addiction, homelessness and incarceration. He has been in active recovery for 15 years. He has a Post Graduate Diploma in Mental Health and Addiction, and has recently completed a Masters in Criminal Law. He is involved in solution focused justice research and passionate about social justice. Dave feels privileged to be involved in He Ture Kia Tika and is excited about the potential of the project to give a voice to people with lived experience.
