Arts Access AotearoaAra Poutama Aotearoa’s refreshed Hōkai Rangi Strategy sets a powerful course for reducing reoffending, improving public safety and addressing the significant over-representation of Māori in our corrections system.
Its new purpose statement is: “We make the community safer by supporting people to leave us better and with brighter prospects.”
For those of us involved in Arts in Corrections, the Hōkai Rangi Strategy is more than just a strategy. It’s an opportunity to deepen the impact of our work and contribute to transformative, intergenerational change through the arts.
As Jeremy Lightfoot, the Chief Executive of Ara Poutama Aotearoa, says in his foreword, the refreshed strategy is all about achieving outcomes. “Our future direction will ensure key initiatives are aligned to Hōkai Rangi and our three organisational outcomes. We know we need to prioritise the initiatives that will have the great positive impact.”
At the centre of the strategy is this whakataukī: Kotahi anō te kaupapa: ko te oranga o te iwi. There is only one purpose to our work: the wellness and wellbeing of people.
This guiding principle, gifted by rangatira at Waiwhetū Marae in 2001, reminds us why we do what we do: it’s to help people thrive, reconnect and reimagine their futures.
Hōkai Rangi builds on this whakataukī, weaving cultural connection and measurable impact into every corner of the corrections system. The six foundational pou are partnership and leadership; humanising and healing; whānau; whakapapa; incorporating a Te Ao Māori worldview; and foundations for participation.
The fourth pou, Incorporating a Te Ao Maori worldview, states: “Access to culture is a fundamental right, not a privilege, regardless of a person’s circumstances.”
Māori arts such as raranga (weaving), whakairo (carving) and kapa haka are inseparable components of Māori culture. Ensuring access to Māori culture means ensuring access to Māori arts. This access is essential in upholding the intent of the Hōkai Rangi Strategy.
These pou are signposts for change. For Arts in Corrections educators, these pou offer guidance and inspiration.
What the refreshed Hōkai Rangi means for Arts in Corrections
The arts have always been a tool for connection and growth. Under Hōkai Rangi, I believe they take on even greater significance as a bridge to healing, cultural identity and hope.
Here’s how the six pou align with our work:
- Partnership and Leadership: The strategy emphasises authentic collaboration with iwi and hapū. For Arts in Corrections educators, this means working alongside Māori to create culturally resonant programmes that honour tikanga and uplift participants.
- Humanising and Healing: At its core, this pou is about dignity. Every brushstroke, lyric or dance move can be a step towards healing. By embedding respect and care into our programmes, we support participants to rebuild their lives.
- Whānau: Family matters. Whether it’s inviting whānau to engage in a performance or designing programmes that strengthen family ties, Arts in Corrections educators are ideally placed to foster these vital connections.
- Incorporating a Te Ao Māori worldview: Programmes that incorporate storytelling, carving, kapa haka and other kaupapa Māori practices help participants reconnect with their roots and find strength in their cultural identity.
- Whakapapa: Knowing where you come from can change where you’re going. Through arts programmes, we can help participants explore their whakapapa, creating a sense of belonging and direction.
- Foundations for Participation: The arts aren’t just about expression: they’re about preparation and process. Whether it’s gaining confidence, learning new skills or building connections, arts programmes can set participants up for life beyond prison.
Opportunities to make a difference
For Arts in Corrections educators, the refreshed Hōkai Rangi Strategy is an invitation to innovate, collaborate and shine.
By aligning our work with the strategy’s priorities, we can:
- celebrate cultural identity through programmes grounded in kaupapa Māori
- build stronger partnerships with iwi and hapū
- empower participants to discover new skills and possibilities.
The role of measurable impact
One of the biggest shifts in the refreshed strategy is the emphasis on outcomes. We’re not just creating art: we’re creating change – and we need to show it.
Whether it’s tracking attendance, documenting creative progress or collecting participant stories, reporting on the impact of our programmes is critical to proving their value and securing ongoing support.
Looking ahead
The refreshed strategy reminds us that transformation is possible if we work together. As Arts in Corrections educators, our role is to use creativity to support healing, cultural connection and reintegration.
In my next blog, we’ll explore the practical side of this work: how to report on your programme outcomes effectively. From collecting data to telling compelling stories, we’ll break down the steps to help you showcase the power of your mahi. Your impact deserves to be seen.
