Maori Welfare Worker Patrols Hotel Bars

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31729, 12 July 1968, Page 2

Maori Welfare Worker Patrols Hotel Bars

"The PreM” Special Service HAMILTON, July 11.

A teetotaller who frequents hotel bars is surely unusual. When it is a woman who does so it is doubly strange. But these visits are part of the duties of Mrs Judith Haumaha, the Maori woman warden in Hamilton. Her tactful approach to both girls and boys engaged in under-age drinking, and troublesome drinkers, her two most constant problems in the hotels, has averted more difficult situations. When “Mum,” as she is affectionately known, appears, things quieten down. Speaking Maori enables her to exert great influence over members of her race. The mother of grown-up children, two of her own and three adopted, Mrs Haumaha has long worked in the field of welfare. The work is entirely volun-

tary and is performed in time away from her own work. “I try to treat these people as I would my own children,” said Mrs Haumaha. 24-Hour Call

On call 24 hours each day, she is also often called out to quieten noisy all-night parties. In the opinion of a senior welfare officer, the qualities needed by a Maori welfare officer are a deep understanding of humanity, plain common sense, and tact These Mrs Haumaha has and experience has enlarged her intuitive knowledge.

Often a drinking problem encountered in the hotel leads to visits to troubled homes. The warden can also ask for further assistance from other welfare channels. Busy Times

Pay nights and Friday and Saturday nights are Mrs Haumaha’s busiest evenings, but in her opinion extended drinking hours have made for more pleasant drinking conditions. Maori wardens are appointed to assist in stamping out mischief before it becomes crime and to assist in the

maintenance of order. Counselling and exhortation are advocated, with the use of authority as a last resort. Notes taken by Mrs Haumaha on her rounds are used when she attends the meetings of the Wardens’ Association. Mrs Haumaha also accompanies the Maori Queen, Queen Te Ata-i-rangi-kaahu, when she travels around or out of the Waikato area. Other Duties

“In this way I hope to learn more of my people’s culture,” she said.

She also attends gatherings on the marae, tangis, huis and dances. Visits to hospitals in many districts are an important part of her duties. The older Maoris in hospital look forward to seeing her. The difficult transitional period for the Maori moving from his own marae culture to the urban life causes psychological difficulties. For those unable to adjust to these conditions breakdown can occur and escape into problem drinking is one result. Mrs Haumaha is one of many workers helping her race to adapt to a different way of life.