Maori Resource Centre opened in Auckland

Tu Tangata, Issue 35, 1 April 1987, Page 18

Maori Resource Centre opened in Auckland

HAU O R A

The first Maori Resource Centre for dealing with alcohol and drug problems has opened in Auckland. Funded by the Alcoholic Liquor Advisory Council, the Resource Centre will fill an urgent need, according to ALAC’s Maori Co-ordinator, Ngamaru Raerino. “I went to hui all over New Zealand to find out what Maori people thought was needed in order to do something positive about the alcohol and drug problems amongst our own people. “They saw an overwhelming need for a Central Resource Unit in a neutral setting that could pool together people from community groups, Justice, Social Welfare, hospitals and Maori groups to find out answers to the problems.”

ALAC has put $40,000 into the development of the Auckland Maori Resource Unit, which is the first of several to be set up around the country. ALAC has committed $150,000 for the development of further Maori Resource Centres in other parts of New Zealand. The Auckland Centre, opened by Maori Affairs Minister, Koro Wetere, is overseen by Te Ara Hou, a committee made up of local Maori people from a wide range of different gorups. “Looking at the ways alcohol and drugs affect Maori people, really involves looking at all of Maoridom,” said Mr Raerino.

“This Resource Centre gives us a focus, with a place to hold hui talks to come up with ideas.” The Auckland Maori Resource Centre is already heavily booked by Maori groups, he said. “For example, we are having a series of Justice Department hui here on the links between alcohol and Maori people in prison. We want to use hapu, iwi or tribal involvement, to help Maori prisoners with alcohol problems. He says there was no doubt the new Resource Centre would be fully used by Maori people.

Te Ara Hou, with support and funding from the Alcoholic Liquor Advisory Council, initiated the establishment of the first Resource Unit, at 10 Boston Road, Mt Eden. Te Ara Hou s aim is to establish training and services for the prevention, assessment and treatment of alcohol and substance abuse, and also to instil and implement Maori values, principles and procedures in all spheres of operations, communications and business, promotions and supporting any individual or organisation that deals in a Maori perspective. The Resource Unit, based at 10 Bos-

ton Road, Mt Eden, will provide co-ordination, communication and support for individual workers, committees and alcohol and substance abuse services Training programmes are being developed for work within the Social Services with an emphasis on the Maori perspective The Executive Committee of Te Ara Hou is: Mr Rau K chairman; Te Puea Askin> Secretary; Lilly Heihei, Treasurer Funded' by: The Alcoholic Liquor Advisory Council, Interdepartmental Committee on Substance Abuse.