18 Nov 2010

Dedicated programmes urged for Maori gang families

9:06 am on 18 November 2010

Maori academic Rawiri Taonui is calling for dedicated programmes to address the needs of Maori gang families.

The former head of Maori and indigenous studies at Canterbury University has just completed a chapter on Maori gangs for a new book to be published by Te Pae O Te Maramatanga, the Maori Centre for Research Excellence.

He told Waatea News that while there are programmes to assist Maori prisoners and their families, family members of gangs are still being neglected.

"There are no dedicated programmes addressing Maori gangs and Maori gang families in particular," he said, adding that "Maori gangs tend to be a form of extended whanau."