The marae behind a scheme to cut Maori prosecution rates wants to make the project permanent.
Neville Baker. Photo: RNZ
Waiwhetu Marae in Lower Hutt was instrumental in setting up the Turning of the Tide initiative with police.
During a year-long trial, a kaupapa Maori panel of leaders helped about 100 people in trouble with the law to improve their life choices, instead of going through the courts for minor crimes.
Chair Neville Baker says the Crown needs to provide funding to to keep the scheme going in his district, as there's no such thing these days as volunteerism.
He will meet police early next month to discuss a budget for the marae to keep running the scheme.
