By Chris Trotter*
As word of Rawiri Waititi’s successful intervention in the Waikeria Prison stand-off spreads, the Maori Party’s mana will grow significantly.
It is difficult to think of a better metaphor with which to illustrate the party’s political mission than its co-leader, under the disdainful gaze of the authorities, leading 16 parched, burned, bleeding but unbroken prisoners out of danger and into safety. Surely, somewhere in New Zealand, a young Maori musician is already composing a song to celebrate Waititi’s success. He’s earned one.
It is difficult to imagine anyone bothering to write a song for the Corrections Minister, Kelvin Davis. Throughout the six days of the crisis at Waikeria, the Minister maintained an obdurate silence. The resolution of this crisis, New Zealanders were given to understand, was an “operational matter” – something best left to the public servants and corrections officers on the spot. The very same public servants and corrections officers whose actions – and failure to take action – were responsible for sparking the uprising in the first place.
The Ombudsman’s report of August 2020 made it very clear that conditions at Waikeria Prison left a great deal to be desired. Had the authorities responded to that report swiftly and decisively, then it is highly unlikely the uprising would have occurred.
It is very difficult for those who know nothing of life behind bars to fathom the degree of degradation required to make prisoners risk an extension of their sentences by violating the rules of their confinement. When you’re in jail, all you want to be is out. You’ll suffer an awful lot in silence before raising your voice in protest. That’s why any form of prison protest is a sure and certain sign that something very rotten is festering within its walls.
How rotten may, perhaps, be gleaned from the following passage, taken from the media release sent out by the protesting prisoners’ to (among others) Action Station and Hone Harawira:
“Our drinking water in prison is brown. We have used our towels for three straight weeks now. Some of us have not had our bedding changed in five months. We have not received clean uniforms to wear for three months – we wear the same dirty clothes day in and day out. We have to wash our clothes in our dirty shower water and dry them on the concrete floor. We have no toilet seats: we eat our kai out of paper bags right next to our open, shared toilets.”
If even half of these complaints are true, then New Zealand should hang its head in shame. Conditions such as these are what we associate with the hellholes of Central and South America – prisons wracked by riots, uprisings and mass escapes, and quelled by tear-gas, rubber bullets and (all too frequently) live rounds.
The pall of black smoke which, at the time of writing, still hung above Waikeria is a signal. A signal that we’re not doing it right. That we’ve got it wrong. That we have to stop listening to the people who have presided over these institutional failures for far too long. Most of all, however, it is signalling the importance of ceasing to react to the vicious messaging from our nation’s amygdala.
Crime and punishment are not issues that can be resolved successfully by our instinctive “flight or fight” reaction. They are matters for the national cerebellum, the seat of reason in the human brain. We must not leave them to the violent reptilian lunges of the Kiwi limbic system.
At times like these, however, the first political responders are almost always reptilian. Why are the authorities waiting? Where are the Police? Why aren’t we seeing the deployment of armed tactical units? Is there no pepper spray? No tear gas? No long batons? Are there no automatic weapons?
When a human-being is convicted of a crime, he or she does not cease to be a human-being. Imprisonment does not, contrary to the punitive expectations of many New Zealanders, permit the extinguishment of all the rights to which human-beings are entitled. This country is a signatory to a raft of international treaties and covenants affirming the fundamental human right to be treated decently.
These documents should have made it unthinkable for servants of the New Zealand state (which, presumably includes the authorities at Waikeria Prison!) to refuse water and food to protesting inmates. If our soldiers refused to give prisoners water they would be guilty of a war crime.
What does it say about us as a people, that we are willing to treat the soldiers of a foreign foe with more respect than our own citizens? What does it say about our Minister of Corrections that he did not publicly repudiate the inhumane tactics of the Waikeria authorities?
More importantly, what does it say about the government of Jacinda Ardern? Why is her Cabinet so unaware, seemingly, of the acutely dangerous politics of the Waikeria Prison uprising? Yes, it’s holiday-time. And yes, Kiwis are taking full advantage of their success in defeating Covid-19. Very few people (including most of the mainstream news media) are paying much attention to events at Waikeria. But that does not excuse the Prime Minister for not noticing just how big a “win” her government has gifted the Maori Party.
Because that metaphor: the Maori Party leading the victims of the system out of danger and into safety; will speak with great force to the thousands of New Zealanders who cannot afford an expensive holiday in Queenstown. Those paying extortionate rent for substandard accommodation. Those parents working two jobs but still not making enough to keep their families fit and healthy. The New Zealanders who hear their leader talking about “kindness” and a “Team of Five Million”, but who just can’t see any evidence of it at work in their lives and neighbourhoods.
Dylan Asafo, a lecturer at Auckland Law School, put it like this:
“Contrary to popular belief, the ‘centre’ isn’t a place for reasonable, measured minds who can see valid points on both sides and find a just and fair compromise. The ‘centre’ doesn’t actually exist. It’s an imagined safe space for people who are deeply invested in inequality in a settler-colonial, capitalist state but still want to be perceived as kind and decent people.”
A left-wing Labour government would have reacted very differently to the uprising at Waikeria. It would have reassured all those members of the Maori working-class with fathers, brothers and sons locked away in hellholes like Waikeria, that Labour was committed unequivocally to their fair and humane treatment. Under a left-wing Labour government, it would have been the Corrections Minister leading those prisoners out of danger and into safety – and making sure every one of the Ombudsman’s recommendations was implemented.
By preferring to put their faith in an illusory political centre, Labour has ceded a crucial swathe of electoral territory to a Maori Party unafraid of placing itself at the head of an uprising much bigger than the one Rawiri Waititi just helped to end at Waikeria.
*Chris Trotter has been writing and commenting professionally about New Zealand politics for more than 30 years. He writes a weekly column for interest.co.nz. His work may also be found at http://bowalleyroad.blogspot.com.
115 Comments
And where do the victims of crime fit in Chris?
A question Chris: Have you ever had a sister brutally raped or a brother killed by one of these prisoners. Obviously not.
To present a balanced article why don't you incorporate the opinions of some of the victims of the crimes committed by these prisoners?
I doubt CT has added much to the debate about conditions in Waikeria, but interest.co's editors should be commended for posting his article.
Having spent some time in Waikeria (on remand) I can vouch for it's dehumanising and degrading conditions. Incarceration there certainly didn't seem to be about "rehab". Many reports have been written outlining the same failings over and over since the early '90s and yet nothing of any substance has changed.
Labour spent much effort to give prisoners the vote yet has ignored most of the points raised in various reports - why is this??
Lightfoot mentioned the water was brown because it was sourced from a rural bore - REALLY!!??, has Lightfoot not heard of sediment filters and UV sterilisation?
A full independent investigation coupled with swift and public accountability (some firings) is in dire need (imv). Some measurable action on it's findings re: conditions is also well overdue.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/123860610/waikeria-prison-surrender-fa…
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/on-the-inside/433985/transforming-waikeria-h…
The military analogy seems a very poor one. The rioting prisoners cannot be compared to prisoners of war. Comparing it to a to a military siege would be a better one and then certainly withholding food and water would be appropriate. Refusal to surrender would be resolved with force generally too. Not saying that should happen just that its a poor comparison and doesn't work when you think about for a few seconds.
Waititi is a cunning operator who took advantage of Davis' total inaction. Smart move to turn it into a made to measure photo op but doubt he'll get any traction in dealing with the systemic failings in Corrections (starting at the top). Let's see how much "mana" he displays when he calls out the Maori Council (Jackson and co) for their inaction.
Compared to Labour and the bundies National dispatched .. Waititi is practically Jesus right now. He is seemingly getting results.
Kelvin Davis has reached what I call "Peak Peter Principle" .. many of NZ's top bureaucrats have reached "Peak Peter Principle". The real winners will be those paid THOUSANDS to write a 'review' into this incident. Probably all the usual names - wanting a suck at the government's teat. They'll probably throw in a Sir Geoffrey Palmer like figure.. blah, blah, blah.
It's quite pointless because unlike 'Peak Oil', NZ HAS Actually reached "Peak Peter Principle". You can't JUST pass a law, write a review or update an operating protocol and expect things to change. NZ has no constitution and our Bill of Rights is ignored. The fact is laws and operations are only as good as the people administering them.
There is no story here Mr Trotter.
A bunch of shitheads continued their life of destruction and burned the place. Nothing more.
All their lives they have spurned every reasonable option offered them and ended up there. Been their decision.
There is no reasonable option that society can find with these so don't blame society for them being in prison.
But it's not all negative. Think of the many who have taken the positive options and turned their path from harm creation and prison.
KH the underlying attitude in your statement is what is causing the issues. The reason for their incarceration isn't really relevant, it's the treatment they receive whilst incarcerated that needs to be addressed. The "lock 'em up and throw away the key" theory has never worked.
Maybe they would like to swap treatment with their victims?
The water was brownish, it is safe to drink. I have drunk significantly worse on my overseas travels. THey get guaranteed meals everyday, including cooked meals, they get a bed, a toilet, and a shower.
I know a lot of people not in prison that would love that sort of life. Some of them have parents in prison...where is the justice in that. THe prisoner - who broke the rules of society, gets a better life than the society they despise.
We need to give up on the idea of rehabilitation. You might be able to rehabilitate someone who committed a one off offence. You will not rehabilitate someone tied up in a gang, with hundreds of convictions.
THey broke societies rules, remove them from society. I value a prisoners rights, as much as they valued their victims.
Noncents I feel the need to bring you up to speed on a few things.
The "brownish water" supplied is due to Corrections cutting corners with water treatment processes and is not what a supposedly first world country supplies anyone - I wouldn't supply that to my cattle.
The bed is in a cell originally designed for 1 occupant so now it's a bunkbed with it's bedding changed supposedly infrequently.
The toilet is an uncovered cesspool, not always functional, next to which inmates consume their meals (balancing their plastic plate on their knees)
The shower is an outdoors shower in an exercise yard with infrequently functioning hot water - there is only 1 shower per yard (at any one time there will be 15 - 20 inmates in the yard)
I am trying to feel sorry for them, I really am. But you know, like 98% of Kiwis I can obey the law, contribute to society, and generally don't be a criminal. It's not really that hard.
If they want to be treated like humans, then they should act like humans.
What would NZ look like if we all acted like that everytime a Smiling PM failed to act/deliver on anything?
Waikeria tends not to be one off/singular crimes. They have multiple convictions, often including aggrevated violence. Perhaps they could have registered their issues in the proper manner. Oh... the issue wasn't sorted? I know lets burn down the joint.
If you have such an issue with the quality of their abode, you can put them all up at yours. You can ensure their human rights are met and even exceeded. You can tell them how hard done by they are, and that they are the real victims in this. The poor sap that they attacked probably has ongoing health issues/pain, not to mention the indefinite mental health issues meaning they feal constantly afraid, won't leave their house, and struggle in social gatherings, but hey, that is fine. The greater issue is that a couple of rancid excuses for a human being are getting cold showers.
There is a very simple way to fix all of this - Don't do the crime, if you can't do the time
You are so ingrained in the stereotypical definition of prisoners, I'm actually almost feeling sorry for you. I emphasise the "almost". The fact is NZ has signed an international agreement governing the treatment of it's prison population. It's not about the issues you raise regarding victims - which I agree with. It's about the humane treatment, by the NZ State, of people in it's care.
Waikeria is a Medium Sec prison but it's also a Remand Centre - meaning not all inmates have been proven guilty nor had their "day in court". Your opinion, whilst understandable, is based on stereotypes, misinformation and ignorance.
BTW - I was one of those "rancid human beings" taking cold showers but was proven innocent of all charges due to Police being overexuberant. An action that cost me 10s of 1000s in lost business and a longterm stigma.
My points still all stand.
1. We meet and/or exceed all of the requirements set down by international law.
2. As I said, if the prisoners believe these are not being met, there are avenues to try before literally burning the joint down.
3. By all accounts it was not the people there on remand causing the issues.
Wrong!! - You THINK/BELIEVE we meet all the requirements - the reality differs at times. The avenues for discussion or compliant are often blocked/withheld or when a compliant is made it's ignored. The people on Remand are treated exactly the same as the general prison population - there is no distinction other than separation
"The avenues for discussion or compliant are often blocked/withheld or when a compliant is made it's ignored. The people on Remand are treated exactly the same as the general prison population"
That is LIFE!!!
I am sure everyone here could list a thousand issues they have with their place of work, local council, landlord, Government, retailers, utilities, etc....
The point you seem unable to grasp is that all the rest of us cope without burning it down.
And the point you are obviously either incapable or stubbornly unwilling to grasp is the punishment meted out is about "loss of liberty" for an extended period. It's not about treating people to substandard conditions. That you dismiss the failings at Waikeria with a shallow justification of "That's LIFE" speaks volumes about you as person. Saying everyone else has to put up with tribulations so the inmates should too is a sad but all to common indictment on the attitudes in this country.
How would your comment fit with the current housing issue? Is that "Life" too?? I find your attitude a disgrace but an all too prevalent one
Actually KH if you read my post properly you'd see I was only on remand - the case was dismissed.
I'm not debating poor decision-making is the precursor to a stay in "the big house". What I'm saying is that conditions need to be humane and in keeping with our internationally agreed obligations. When they are not it merely fuels an individuals already intense dislike for society and a feeling of alienation and a propensity to associate with other likeminded individuals or groups. It isn't the only cause but it certainly contributes.
I am unable to say too much. However check out this Auckland prison:
It is the other prisoners that people fear about prison. Imagine if you were imprisoned in Mt Eden and all the other prisoners were Swedish models? Wouldn't be so bad would it?
So your answer is "No not personally". If you think a youtube video is sufficient evidence to back your comments then I'm afraid you have no place in the conversation. Waikeria is a 110 yr old clapped out dungeon. If anything there was a service done to society by burning it to the ground.
Sitting in the visitors area cannot, under any circumstances, be viewed or compared to the reality of actual incarceration. Every comment you are making just reinforces your naiveté. You have absolutely no idea. Last time I looked no visitor was subjected to strip searches post visiting hour - it was a regular and mandatory occurrence at Waikeria. As I said - you have no idea whatsoever
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2fnWCYqkvY
3 Minutes 50 Seconds and 4 minutes 41 Seconds for a couple of still shots of the cells.
CT you say, 'If even half of these complaints are true,' etc. So you are conceding that you don't know how many of these are true.
What if none of them are true? Would that change what you have just written?
Are there any impartial investigative journalists in NZ that can tell us what really has happened?
'To be honest Dale, unless you've experienced it first-hand nobody can understand what it's really like.'
Never made that point, but it's not universally true otherwise nothing could be learnt and avoided without having learnt the lesson the hard way.
And if there was any understanding from many inmates, it was not what it was like to be a victim of the crime that put them in prison in the first place.
The point was that CT's whole article is based around maybe one of those statements about conditions being true, without him checking if any of them are, and/or to what degree.
Dale, you're not letting my statement sink in. I've been there (in Waikeria) albeit on remand and for a shortish period. Any fact checking will come from a biased angle - either pro or anti. As I said previously here, there are many reports written about the failings at Waikeria - Corrections and it's Minister just need to read and act on them. They are historical, long running and factual.
Your statements are irrelevant to my points.
I'm pointing out the article doesn't exist without 'half' of the allegations being true. Just because they made such a reaction, ie burn down a prison, does not make their claims more true, than if they staged had, say, a hunger strike.
As CT is stating if only half the allegations are true, then there is something seriously wrong. So here is one of the 'facts' that CT has quoted: 'We have used our towels for three straight weeks now.' How will fact-checking this statement be either pro or anti?
Fact checking will get the same result as what lead to Davis' statement of "no complaints". Corrections will say "prisoners are given regular and frequent changes as per the regulations" Prisoners will say "we haven't had bedding changes or clean clothes for weeks". There is no recording of these changes so there is no way to prove or disprove the veracity of the claim.
As far as Davis is concerned there haven't been any complaints - that's because the complaints have to be filed on the "official complaint form" which can't be accessed, and even if they could be, they tend to get "misplaced". I'm afraid most people not exposed to prison (directly or indirectly) have absolutely no idea of what's going on.
Can't find an argument to disagree over labour's move to the centre and what that means. I genuinely hoped for a government of decisive change even if I didn't vote for them, but I can't see it happening.
I couldn't help but think if the prisoners only managed to damage property "worth hundreds of thousands of dollars" it must have been in a pretty sorry state.
Sounds to me from the tone and number of reports and complaints it was a human reaction to inhumane conditions.
Chris Trotter should check out how NZ treated POWs that refused to work like slaves:
Checked out that youtu.be link you posted. If you can't differentiate between a "minSec" facility and Waikeria (or Mt Eden) then you need to educate yourself. That link was an ad run by Serko showing off it's "community based" facility. If you can't see or accept that it's wildly different from Waikeria then you are truly naïve.
Do yourself and others a favour - educate yourself.
https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/massacre-at-featherston/
First OZ banks, then OZ groceries, now this OZ import deportee (seen the number from recent TV news).
Once, the situations settle down. I hope the govt will run the RE agency course as compulsory for the inmates, to open the way for future society integration.. plenty positive way can be seen here from their skills & talent, we need to absorb it into the current NZ housing issue, to provide further fix.
"Chris Trotter says the powerful political metaphor of the Maori Party leading the despised and marginalised from danger to safety…"
Hold on, these "despised and marginalised people" have committed serious crimes to be in jail in the first instance, also they put themselves in danger by setting the prison on fire. I have far more compassion for the homeless than for convicted criminals who ruined their victims' lives
Yvil, these prisoners are in the care of the State, which has mandated legal obligations surrounding their care.
Not all inmates in Waikeria are actually convicted felons - many are on remand awaiting trial so are actually innocent until proven guilty. People would do well to realise and remember that last fact.
Its effing nuts allowing these crims to cause this level of destruction or any destruction for that matter, the authorities should have showed some backbone and taken these idiots down. The crims should now be made to pay for the damage caused, if not with their own funds then with their lives. I am meaning capital punishment plain and simple, we do not need these people in the community or returning to it. It is not acceptable to foist the multimillion dollar replacement cost on the taxpayer... I would be hold the officials to account as well for allowing the siege/riot to continue unchecked.
Yeah that's the way Fh.. shoot the lot of 'em - that'll learn 'em.. (sound of twanging banjo's in the background aka Deliverance - make 'em squeal like a pig!!) huh? Let's make 'em pay for the 100's of K damage out of their $250/week UEB. Man.. you truly are out of touch. Maybe you could join KH back in the 19th century
Congrats for owning up hook by saying you have personal experience at waikeria.... however you are very biased in favour of the crims in this case. These guys got the attention and profile they were seeking just by sitting out of the reach of the law. Taking the dispute to a new level of wonton multimillion dollar destruction harms their case, if they were not criminals already ie there on remand, they certainly are now. And don't forget that a bunch of them are in nz as a result of being booted from Aus
Absolutely that's what it was. Waititi stepped into the vacuum created by Davis' absence. Will it pay off for him? - who knows. His comments on Newshub appeared to make light of the situation - "they just wanted a pie and a fizzy so that's what I gave them and they're all happy now"
The point is that the state is about to achieve the actual results sought (i.e., permanent closure of the old facility);
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/115275413/bars-rebar-and-builders---in…
That the state can't build fast enough to humanely house the burgeoning prison population is largely a result of the burgeoning problem of poverty and drugs in our society. The state is right to prioritise prevention (the improvement of these ills) over money spent on improving and growing facilities for incarceration. This has been Labour's policy aim from pre-government to in government.
Building bigger, better prisons faster is not an answer when there are other more important and deserving issues, such as child poverty, mental health, drug rehabilitation, dental care, healthy schools, etc. that need addressing.
Actually I think we are being a little distracted with our little 'reptilian' versus 'bleeding heart' squabble here.
That quote from Asafo, an actual lecturer at Auckland Law School, wow.
“Contrary to popular belief, the ‘centre’ isn’t a place for reasonable, measured minds who can see valid points on both sides and find a just and fair compromise. The ‘centre’ doesn’t actually exist. It’s an imagined safe space for people who are deeply invested in inequality in a settler-colonial, capitalist state but still want to be perceived as kind and decent people.”
Asafo wants to abolish the police, abolish the prisons and even abolish capitalism itself because it is a white supremacist system used to promote the socioeconomic domination of white settlers.
People should find this article written by Asafo very interesting:
Time to dismantle our rotting house
Presumably Trotter approves of this.
The article where the above quote comes from:
They are working on making anything that has any connection to colonialism indefensible by associating it with what is perceived as the worst evil in the world. Even the many immigrants from Asia who have greatly benefited from New Zealand capitalism and post colonial society may be tempted into believing it because it will be kind of appealing due to the history of European overbearance in their homelands.
The Criminal Justice System is broken. Many false charges are brought against people and many innocent people are incarcerated. NZ Police often choose not to investigate crime - driving victims to become criminals out of frustration [which is obviously no excuse, but happens].
White collar crime isn't investigated and there is no real definition for corruption. There is no real attempt to meaningfully investigate corruption in NZ, hence why we do sooo well in corruption rankings.
Yet we have .. ummm .. the 2nd highest incarceration rate in the Western World.. something doesn't compute! Young people are especially targeted by the NZ Police, driving them in droves into the Justice System. A system that keeps them tangled for years, often via misrepresentations - aka lies.
The Justice System is bloated; Lawyers, Judges, Admin, Police, Prison Shareholders, Bureaucrats, etc ALL benefit from throwing people into this mince grinder, aka The Justice System. These people are stacking wads of cash. Fining and filing charges (baseless or otherwise) is a core NZ industry.
"People in prison are bad".. maybe, but the people putting them there are often sociopaths. They want your children in prison, that is their goal, that's how they put food on their tables.. they need young people appearing in court as often as possible.
Obviously the above is true, so let's [Jacinda has ruined that word; "let's'] .. let's not be insane by continuing this way .. let's try ideas proposed by Maori.
Well, I could provide you with sources .. however I'm not your mother and this is a comment section, NOT a peer reviewed journal.
But I'm Calling You Out, Right Here, Right Now .. PRESENT SOME EVIDENCE to the Contrary, OR are you all cliche and let the Main Stream Media do your thinking for you?
Where do you get off ASKING people to provide you with source documents - for a LONG comment, which you have ZERO refutes for. If you want referenced material provided to you.. become a MP or Get Your Wallet Out. Your narcissism and entitlement is outrageous.
"Your narcissism and entitlement is outrageous."
Says the bloke posting rant that wouldn't pass muster at a university common room debate, getting his back up when challenged on the basis the comments aren't a peer reviewed journal and then demanding a certain level of academic rigour in whatever replies you get? Imagine being a fully grown adult and thinking the length of your diatribe somehow gives it validity, and then having the stones to 'call' someone else out because they didn't fall over themselves to just agree with you, topped with a healthy sprinkling of boomer-Facebook level capitalisation of letters and bold font here and there as you demand evidence to refute the rant you are determined you should not have to provide evidence for.
Your naivety is unattractive and is leading you to believe societal myths. As such I imagine small set backs in your life will be computed as devastating events.. this is the lot for naïve people. You also seem to be hyper-critical, a very concerning combination.. due to this I'm not convinced you can meaningfully converse.
So I won't engage with you further.
I’m the naive one? Seriously mate, if you think asking you to reference such blunt assertions as you have made is hypercritical then I guess you would be better commentating on your local community Facebook page. Scroll through the previous articles on this site and you will find countless commentators citing references to their statements. Not only does it give their statements credibility but also allows other commentators to learn which is a key aim of this site.
Sir Kim Workman, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, is a criminal justice advocate and former policeman, Families Commissioner and operational head of prisons in the then Department of Justice.
The ideas proposed by Māori. Māori are and have been involved in very high positions within the criminal justice system. And as Kim Workman himself explains, the solution is to "at a basic operational level, all prisoners and staff are treated with dignity and respect." Easier said than done within what is, by his description, a very hostile and at times, very dangerous environment.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/on-the-inside/433985/transforming-waikeria-h…
Poverty, disadvantage and to a lesser degree, greed, breeds crime. Smokefree policy breeds crime. Drug policy breeds crime. Community protection of family/friends doing crime breeds crime. Social policy breeds crime. Drivers licensing policy breeds crime. Housing policy breeds crime.
Solve basic societal injustices first, through the implementation of policy that does not serve to breed crime through poverty entrapment and you've got a government on the right path.
Because our regulatory regime is designed to facilitate rules breaches.
We have a three-staged licensing system (Learners, Restricted, Full). Each stage has associated costs to obtain/achieve. Many who cannot afford those costs, break the conditions of their license (e.g., have passengers in the car while on a restricted) and for that receive fines - fines that they are unable to pay. Those fines incur court costs when they go unpaid and then incur interests costs (penalties) while payment is outstanding. Meanwhile, 2nd, 3rd and 4th license condition breaches also occur - rinse and repeat another round of fines, court costs and penalties. And eventually there can be arrest/detainment for outstanding fines.
In the US, you have a single stage - that is straight to a full license provided you pass the written and practical test. One-only regulatory cost.
Same goes for the ridiculous WOF and registration schemes here - over-regulation leads to unaffordable costs for many - which leads to fines, etc. etc.
Kate. The licence system is truely ridiculous.
I know several lovely young people who repeated failed for some irrelevant snag.
They and their families have been besides themselves as to finding a way through.
They remain lovely kids. None have entered a life of crime and violence.
They and their families
Yes, re-sits/failures are awful for a young persons self-confidence/mental health. Many young people don't have family support to try and help get them through that. And so many have to drive to get to work. It's a cruel treadmill to be on. I've helped a number of young people through the court process to get these fines wiped. One young man had lost his license altogether for unpaid fines and then started biking to work - and got a fine for failing to wear a helmet.
Another place, police would routinely park behind a hedge at the exit to the student car park at a Polytechnic - easy pickings every day.
Whereas, in the US, police can't stop your vehicle unless you've got a light out or have crossed the lane without signaling, etc. No such thing there as a random stop/check there. Again, this is regulation here in NZ that purposefully targets those already disadvantaged.
I was once advocating for a youth at a district court, trying to clear up a parking fine matter. The staff behind the counter were so doggedly unhelpful and would not provide the assistance/forms needed. And the volume of my voice went well up. The security guards moved toward me and I could see I was about to get tossed out. So I exited the court of my own accord, and went straight to the Police station to lay a complaint about the staff behind the desk. You guessed it, the Police wouldn't take the complaint.
Point being, people get desperate all the time - for a whole bunch of stresses that needn't be inflicted on them by the state.
And speaking of families, I had one case, a young mother who I worked with again to get the court to consider wiping her fines (which thankfully they did, instead giving a community service requirement).
The young mother had a number of learners license violations; one drunk and disorderly from her teenage years and one unpaid Telecom bill that had been taken to court for collection as well. By the time all the court costs and penalties had been applied, the fines amount to some $3K.
The Telecom bill was one her mother had incurred. Yep, the nice mum had been unable to open an account on her own because of previous unpaid accounts and had lied, using her daughter's details to open an account - not even telling the daughter who lived elsewhere in the country.
After court we went to another appointment and I paid for her to take the restricted license test, which thankfully she passed. Very difficult to keep to your learners license conditions when you have a child to get around with for shopping, doctors visits, etc.
Some things seem better now than when I was starting out. WOFs are every twelve months instead of six. Cars are cheap and more reliable.
Also, Kate, I know you write letters to parliament so I will reluctantly be "that guy" and mention that it is breaches and not breeches. Breeches evoke a rather hilarious mental image.
Sorry if this link already been posted, NZ indeed really need to be managed by OZ.. big cuz can do better:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/123865178/former-inmate-rubbishes-clai…
Aside from the doom and gloom presented in many of the comments there is a clear winner here. Some new infrastructure, albeit by unconventional means. Perhaps this is an example in getting new infrastructure! I wonder if the govt are insured for an event like this or is the taxpayer the insurer.
There was a statement, I think by the Maori co-leader, that politicians shouldn't be grandstanding over this. I suppose if you come forward as a politician and shout the odds you aren't grandstanding.
After two days I thought they'd call in the SWAT team. Then I realised I've been watching too much US TV
I have never been to prison. I have hardly ever acted in a manner which may have resulted in my going to prison. From the sound of this prison, if I had been there, I would have spent my whole time there working out the best way to get out, and to never act in a manner by which I would return. Why didn't the Aussie gang members there think the same? The Maori Parties mateship with these people may not be as politically beneficial as they might think.
"More importantly, what does it say about the government of Jacinda Ardern? Why is her Cabinet so unaware, seemingly, of the acutely dangerous politics of the Waikeria Prison uprising?"
I think Ardern's govt understands the politics of the uprising (or riot, as it is more generally called) perfectly. Chris Trotter is severely overestimating how much most NZers care about the rights of prisoners, and gang members in particular. Gangsters who like to make a point of standing outside society's rules and conventions demanding their civil rights will seem richly ironic (if not absurd) to many.
Ardern will have polled on the issue and will have calculated where her interests lie. It certainly won't be with the rioters (or insurrectionists, if you prefer).
NZ virus elimination success, should rub into this area for world model example of an ex. inmates integration back into community. This riot is for the precursor of future betterment. We all should eliminate racism & discrimination. We must be able to put them into special council ward nationwide, re-train seat for healthcare workers (med, nursing, dentistry, mh, social, oranga etc.), absorb as ECE workers, priority for DHBs recruitment and most importantly to raise up the home ownership, plenty of creative way mostly from their past experiences that can be adaptable to current NZ Real Estate industries, their brokerage & agency skills are still being undervalued and underestimated at the moment.
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