Stable housing, 'home' and desistance : views from Aotearoa New Zealand

There has been little theoretical development concerning the role of housing and the more subjective notion of ‘home’ in supporting desistance from crime. Through narrative interviews with 16 men with histories of imprisonment in Aotearoa New Zealand, this article explores key psycho-social benefits of home that support men to desist from crime. The article expands knowledge on the role of place and space in desistance by emphasising that to fully engage with the desistance process, those leaving prison need more than a roof over their heads; they need a home with psycho-social benefits that enhance their sense of wellbeing and ontological security. It is argued that a home provides a crucial setting for those leaving prison to ‘do’ desistance, and it is imperative that reintegration policy and practice recognise the psycho-social benefits of home

Te Tapatoru: a model of whanaungatanga to support rangatahi wellbeing

ABSTRACTWhanaungatanga (nurturing of relationships) is at the heart of wellbeing for rangatahi (Māori youth), yet little research has considered how rangatahi understand and experience whanaungatanga. Furthermore, policy makers, organisations and practitioners have had limited guidance to reflect on whanaungatanga with young Māori in ways that support rangatahi wellbeing and aspirations. As part of a broader photo-elicitation project on whanaungatanga with young Māori, we describe Te Tapatoru, a model of whanaungatanga based on the experiences and insights of 51 rangatahi. Using a Māori critical realist approach, we demarcated rangatahi descriptions of whanaungatanga into three interconnected areas. The first component, ko wai, a reciprocal connection, emphasised the importance of a reciprocal connection with people (or more than people). The second component, he wā pai, a genuine time/place, spoke to how contexts, time and places provided the space for meaningful connections to take root and flourish. The final component, he kaupapa pai, a genuine kaupapa (activity, process) considered how rangatahi desired connection which responded to their desires and aspirations. This approach harnesses rangatahi potential by creating reciprocal and invigorating supportive environments based on rangatahi aspirations and insights. Policy and practice recommendations are made which centre this rangatahi informed approach to whanaungatanga

Priority actions for improving population youth mental health: An equity framework for Aotearoa New Zealand

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