Dave Letele's kaupapa Māori approach to youth rehabilitation: 'It's good for everyone'

The BBM programme, He Hauora He Taonga (Health is wealth), has been given the green light to launch at Spring Hill Correctional facility in Waikato, offering a whānau approach to breaking cycles of reoffending.

"We are not your typical facilitators within a prison, but we are the exact type that's needed," Letele said.

To have this programme approved was "massive", Letele said, acknowledging the hard mahi from Spring Hill Corrections, and its deputy general Manager of site pathways, Christine Faull, for getting the kaupapa over the line.

"They fought a lot of bureaucracy," he said.

"They understood that what they were doing was not working, but good on them for looking outside the box."

A Te ao Māori approach

When Letele entered Spring Hills Corrections Facility, he realised immediately that change was needed.

"I turned to the staff and said the rangatahi don't have much chance of rehabbing in here or getting better. If anything, they will come out more resentful. They said, well, that's why you're here."

From then onwards, Letele and his team developed a program grounded in Te Whare Tapa Whā, a Māori health model that encompasses physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual hauora (well-being).

Letele said this approach will empower the rangatahi in custody.

"We can see it out on the outside that it's for everybody, it's not just Māori."

Letele said, people from all different backgrounds and nationalities are embracing a te ao Māori approach to rehabilitation.

"It's all about connection and belonging and believing that you come from greatness."

Letele said a kaupapa Māori approach saw great success at Wiri Men's Prison.

"When I went there, they had a Māori culture wing, and the violence went down by 80 percent."

"There's magic in our culture. It works and it's not just good for Māori, it's good for everyone. So, that's a big part of the programme."

A Path Beyond the Prison Gates

What sets He Hauora He Taonga apart, Letele said, is its focus on post-release support and facilitators with lived experiences.

Among them is Manu Vatuvei, a former professional rugby league player and Nova, a former gang member and 501 deportee, whose presence has already inspired hope in the rangatahi.

"You can see it in their eyes that they were looking up to these guys and that's what you need.

"When they see someone who's walked in their shoes, they believe change is possible."

Letele said rangatahi can look at where people like Nova are now and be inspired to change.

"They can think, they've come from where I've come from. They've gone through what I've gone through and in some cases, they've done worse than me and here they are living this life outside, living positively and living greatness."

Their personal journeys and knowledge bring a sense of authenticity and relatability to the sessions, Letele said, "fostering a deeper connection and understanding among participants".

"You can't send university degree people and expect them to connect."

Letele said rehabilitation kaupapa should be community-led.

"You can't have Oranga Tamariki running these things. It's a disgrace, you've got to have community-based programs run by people that have lived that life. So, when you're talking to the people inside, behind the wire, they believe it."

Meeting them at the Gate

Through his mahi at Wiri Men's Prison, Letele said he was approached by an inmate, and prison leader, who told him, "We're okay in here, but when we get out, who do we turn to?"

For Letele, the answer is clear: "They turn to us."

Through this initiative, rangatahi will be introduced to BBM programmes upon their release.

Letele said this is because "meeting them at the gate is the key to reduce recidivism".

"You can run programs, but then when they get out, what are you gonna do? You've gotta meet them at the gate and introduce them into your programs out here. That's the big thing.

"It's about surrounding them with good people, training them, helping them find work, and providing kai and support so they don't have to turn back to crime."

He said that breaking generational cycles requires a longterm commitment.

"These are not issues you fix in 12 weeks. It takes a generation to turn things around."

'Destined for Greatness'

During his visit at the Spring Hill facility, Letele had a kōrero with the boys, and asked them 'do you guys want to change?'

"They all nodded their heads and said, of course we do. And I said, well, look at where this life and these bad choices have got you."

His goal is that these rangatahi leave prison with the mindset and tools to never return, while also instilling in them a purpose; a really strong 'why'.

Letele said when he was going through his own battles, that is what he needed the most.

"My why was I wanted my children back, and to do that, I had to be better. I had to work on myself."

BBM's dream, Letele said, it to make this stay in prison their last.

"Our message is simple: it's possible. We're all destined for greatness, and the good life belongs to all of us."

Letele said Hauora He Taonga will be rolled out at Spring Hill Corrections Facility in February 2025, with the hope of expanding on a national scale.