Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Whanau Ora praised by top Maori police officer

Updated at 6:31 am on 14 June 2012

Whanau Ora is being highly praised by a top-ranking Maori police officer, who says the policy is helping to get young Maori offenders back on the right track.

The unique 'whole-of-family' government welfare scheme has come under sustained political attack from New Zealand First - which has branded it a 'bro-ocracy' that wastes tax-payer money.

National Manager of Maori, Pacific and Ethnic Services Superintendent Wallace Haumaha says data shows theft makes up the bulk of offences committed by rangatahi.

But he says Whanau Ora is helping families to work together to cut crime.

Superintendent Haumaha says for the first time he can see that Maori families and communities are working together to organise themselves to get the best support services from government.

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