Kahukura is a marae-based rehabilitation initiative designed to improve health and well-being and prevent suicide and further harm through addressing drug addiction (predominately methamphetamine) and supporting trauma recovery for hard to reach Māori communities.
Kahukura utilises a combination of Māori healing and clinical therapeutic practices. It is grounded in a holistic understanding of Māori health, recognising the multiple dimensions of wellbeing as articulated in frameworks such as Te Whare Tapa Wha and Te Wheke.
Tikanga Māori underpins the programme and builds resilience by strengthening personal identity, belonging and connectivity. Kahukura refers to the “red cloak”, and is a term used for a warrior that acknowledges his role and leadership within his whānau, hapu and iwi. The initiative is predominately targeted at members and whānau of the Chaindog chapter of the Mongrel Mob, and endeavours to do things differently because the current provisions are not effective for this target population.
Kahukura consists of an eight-week live-in programme and graduation is followed by an additional eight-weeks of wrap around support.
Kahukura utilises a combination of Māori healing and clinical therapeutic practices. It is grounded in a holistic understanding of Māori health, recognising the multiple dimensions of wellbeing as articulated in frameworks such as Te Whare Tapa Wha and Te Wheke.
Tikanga Māori underpins the programme and builds resilience by strengthening personal identity, belonging and connectivity. Kahukura refers to the “red cloak”, and is a term used for a warrior that acknowledges his role and leadership within his whānau, hapu and iwi. The initiative is predominately targeted at members and whānau of the Chaindog chapter of the Mongrel Mob, and endeavours to do things differently because the current provisions are not effective for this target population.
Kahukura consists of an eight-week live-in programme and graduation is followed by an additional eight-weeks of wrap around support.
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How the Kahukura rehabilitation programme began |
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Utilising our approach of penetration, engagement and mobilisation, we have been working with leaders of the Chaindogs chapter of the Mongrel Mob to support pro-social change since 2015. Initial programmes in the community helped Chaindog leaders develop an understanding of the factors driving disengagement from the education system, and whānau and community violence, including the genesis of gangs through institutionalisation and their common histories of intergenerational trauma.
The Chaindog leadership developed an approach to address methamphetamine addiction after they experienced a spate of deaths related to the drug, predominately through suicide, in 2018 and 2019. These deaths represented almost one in five (18%) of the suicides in Hawke's Bay, a region that had the second-highest suicide rate at that time. |
Mahinaarangi Tuhi-Smith, Kahukura Tumu (Director)
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The Chaindog leadership developed a shared vision for Kahukura to meet the needs of their community, and to utilise and build on their unique strengths and skills. Dr Rangimarie Pere was a highly respected source of inspiration and support for Kahukura, and the programme design was also influenced by the successful Hauora methamphetamine rehabilitation programme (2009 - 2017). The Hauora initiative ran in partnership between the Notorious leadership and the Salvation Army. It supported gang families to address methamphetamine addiction in a unique and relevant way, and an independent evaluation in 2016 found the programme significantly reduced drug use among its participants.
Kahukura quickly garnered the support of government agencies, local health and social service providers and iwi. The pilot was launched in 2020 and its promising results led to funding through the Proceeds of Crime Fund for nine initiatives between 2021-2024.
Kahukura quickly garnered the support of government agencies, local health and social service providers and iwi. The pilot was launched in 2020 and its promising results led to funding through the Proceeds of Crime Fund for nine initiatives between 2021-2024.
Awards
Kahukura is a cutting-edge programme that not only aligns with best practice, but it is also helping to carve out the best drug rehabilitation models for hard to reach groups including gang communities.
In 2022, Mahinaarangi Tuhi-Smith, Kahukura Tumu (Director) was an Award Winner at Cutting Edge 2022, held by Addiction Practitioners Association Aotearoa New Zealand (dapaanz.org.nz). Mahinaarangi was a recipient of the Dapaanz Excellence in Peer Support Award.
In 2022, Mahinaarangi Tuhi-Smith, Kahukura Tumu (Director) was an Award Winner at Cutting Edge 2022, held by Addiction Practitioners Association Aotearoa New Zealand (dapaanz.org.nz). Mahinaarangi was a recipient of the Dapaanz Excellence in Peer Support Award.
Maahinarangi at Cutting Edge, 2022. Photo courtesy of Addiction Practitioners Association Aotearoa New Zealand (dapaanz.org.nz).
