Kaiwhakamana are kaumātua, kuia, tōhunga and others community leaders who have access to prisons to help provide for the well-being of Māori in prison, and provide mentoring, advice and pastoral care (emotional and spiritual support). Kaiwhakamana can help you connect with your iwi, hapū, whānau and Mori culture among other things.

To contact a Kaiwhakamana, tell your case manager or PCO that you would like to see them.

Kaiwhakamana may visit a prison at any time agreed by the prison director for any of the following purposes;

• to advise prisoners and whānau about whakapapa and tikanga
• to assist prisoners to establish contacts with iwi / hapū / whānau
• to provide prisoners with news and information about iwi / hapū / whānau
• to advise and assist prisoners with iwi / hapū / whānau, relationship, and business issues
• to assist prisoners with personal and family matters
• to provide spiritual / religious support and guidance for prisoners
• to assist prisoners with reintegrative arrangements through their iwi / hapū / whānau
• to provide suggestions and advice to the Minister and Department of Corrections staff on the provision of services to Māori.

Fautua Pasefika are Pacific community leaders who have access to prisons to help provide for the well-being of Pacific prisoners, and provide mentoring, advice and pastoral care (emotional and spiritual support). Fautua Pasefika are people of Pacific descent who have been promoted by their communities as cultural advocates.

To contact a Fautua Pasefika, tell your case manager or PCO that you would like to see them.

There are many organisations that can give you or your family practical help to support you while you’re in prison as well upon your release from prison and reintegration back into life outside of prison.

For example, support for things like:

• addressing debt and money management issues
• transporting or assisting children to visit their parent in prison
• liaising with police, prison, landlords and family to locate property
• supporting and encouraging families left to cope in the community
• transport on release
• securing and maintaining settled accommodation
• obtaining ID, sorting finances and opening bank accounts
• liaising with government departments (for example Work and Income, Housing New Zealand, Department of Corrections)
• improving connections to support networks.

Ask your case manager, PCO or your local Community Law Centre which organisations in your area can help with your specific needs.

There are 24 Community Law Centres throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.

Many of these centres offer free legal help at their nearest prison. This free legal help might be face-to-face (that is, a Community Law lawyer or advocate may visit your prison at regular times or at your request). They might be able to give free legal help over the phone. Or your local centre may be able to support your whānau by giving them advice about your particular legal needs.

If you have a legal problem – something related to your stay in prison, or something unrelated, for example, a family law or housing or debt problem – ask your PCO how to make contact with your local Community Law Centre.

Contact details and more free legal information can also be found at the Community Law website: www.communitylaw.org.nz

Women’s Prisons and the nearest Community Law Centres

Men’s Prisons and Community Law Centres