Plunket and Maori child advocacy organisation Te Kahui Mana Ririki (TKMR) are working in partnership to deliver a strengths based parenting programme to support whānau.

Anton Blank says that TKMR developed the programme, called Tikanga Whakatipu Ririki, after consultation with more than 400 Maori providers and health and family workers in workshops held around the country.

“The result of workshops has been the development of material relevant to Maori parents and children that delivers practical techniques and strategies for raising children in a loving, violence-free home. It’s a unique model based on tikanga Maori, and informed by our research of traditional Maori parenting practices.”

The programme has since been tested in two focus groups and twenty two provider workshops and planning is now in place to pilot the programme with a range of providers, including Plunket.

Sonya Rimene, Plunket’s General Manager of Maori Health, says Plunket is excited to be involved in the project in Hamilton.

“We are partners with Te Kahui Mana Ririki in the ‘Every Child Counts’ coalition so we’re thrilled to be able to build on that relationship and be involved in piloting this programme in Hamilton.

“We all want to see all tamariki grow into happy and healthy adults and parents. Whānau will ultimately decide what is relevant and meaningful to them to build their own capacity and capability, Tikanga Whakatipu Ririki will be one of many seeds for them to grow”, she says.

Anton Blank says the programme is about supporting families to change behaviours through knowledge and understanding about their own culture and history.

“Parents need to have some expectations of themselves as parents and caregivers – and some ideas and vision for their children’s future. Questions such as what they want for their baby and what kind of adult they want them to be should be at the forefront of parents’ minds. The answers help give direction and commitment to child rearing and help them to recognise the qualities their child has.”

The programme is flexible to be adapted in a number of ways that will meet whānau needs.

For more information contact
Nikki Hooper
Plunket External Communications Executive
021 405 842
Nikki.hooper@plunket.org.nz

Anton Blank
Director Te Kahui Mana Ririki
021 406 031
Anton.blank@xtra.co.nz

About Te Kahui Mana Ririki
Te Kahui Mana Ririki was established as the result of the three day Maori Child Abuse Summit held during November, 2007. The summit was preceded by the repeal of Section 59 of the Crimes Act and the death of Nia Glassie. Nia’s death focused the nation’s attention on child abuse and on Maori child abuse. The Summit was a response to the outpouring of public grief that followed.

The over-arching goal was, and is, the elimination of Maori child abuse. We believe that one of the most effective ways we can work towards this goal is to support whanau to transition to positive parenting. The positive parenting movement in New Zealand has been driven by a core of dedicated proponents who are predominantly Pakeha.

About Tikanga Whakatipu Ririki
The programme will be piloted in Hastings, Gisborne, Palmerston North, Hamilton, Manukau, Waitakere, Whangarei, Kaitaia.

The model is strengths-based and has three parts:

1. The goals of parenting

2. The beliefs of parenting

3. Parenting techniques

It teaches parenting techniques such as taking time out to calm down in times of stress, walking away if they feel themselves getting angry and learning not to sweat the small stuff.

Tags: maori parenting education Te Kahui Mana Ririki Sonya Rimene 0 Comments 1 June 2011