Collective approach taken to prevent inner city trouble
Mäori Wardens have
been a familiar sight around Auckland since 1995, but a recent
restructure has seen them working in closer alignment with police.
TE MATAPIHI Tirohanga (A window with a View) Mäori Warden Group was officially
launched late last year, comprising 12 wardens who patrol the central city
from 8pm-3am Thursday-Saturday.
“Their main focus is Mäori youth
and crime in the inner city,” says Senior Sergeant Huri Dennis,
Auckland City District’s Mäori Responsiveness Advisor. “Being
Mäori
kids, the wardens can communicate with a Mäori perspective.”
Working from the Downtown Station near Queen Street, a supervisor
and six wardens are on patrol over each of the three nights. “They have
developed a strong relationship and partnership with Downtown police staff – especially
Station OC Senior Sergeant Rob Lindsay.” Huri says Rob and Inspector
Brett England played a critical part in building relationships and
partnerships between the police and the wardens. Funding and training
are provided by police,
as well as an office at the Downtown Station.
“The project would not be where it is had it not been for the support
of Superintendent Howard Broad [past District Commander] and Huri,” says
Matapihi Tirohanga Project Manager June Rielly. “And we would not
have been able to build up the excellent relationship we have with
staff Downtown
if it had not been for the help and wairua (spirit/attitude) of
Rob Lindsay.”
Huri says police and the wardens have taken a collective approach to
preventing youth causing trouble in the inner city. Two youth aid officers
also work from Downtown, patrolling for unsupervised youth after 9pm. Those
found wandering are driven home by the wardens in a police-provided van.
Information is being collated from shift reports written by the
wardens. “Our
Intel is improving on what kids are doing in the inner city,” says Huri. “We
know the trouble spots which helps in our deployment and planning.”
Huri says crime is down in the inner city (there was a 30 percent
reduction in theft ex-cars in the past year) which is due to several
factors, including
the presence of the wardens. “They are really committed to going out – even
on the worst nights. They are as keen as.”
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