Our Health Service Story

Introduction

Ara Poutama Aotearoa have more than 10,000 staff who work in some of the most difficult and challenging environments in Aotearoa New Zealand, with complex people who have serious convictions, including for physical and sexual violence.

People often come into our management with significant health, disability, mental health, and addiction needs. We are committed to doing everything we can to help people address the causes of their offending, improve their wellbeing, and safely reintegrate back into their communities.

In 2019, Ara Poutama Aotearoa launched Hōkai Rangi: Ara Poutama Aotearoa’s Strategy for 2019- 2024. Hōkai Rangi expresses Ara Poutama’s commitment to deliver better outcomes with and for Māori, so that the over-representation of Māori in the corrections system can be addressed.

At the heart of the strategy is the concept of oranga (wellbeing). A key component of oranga is good physical and mental health.

When a person has a physical or mental health need they may seek help from Health Services, which illustrates the important role it plays in achieving oranga for people in prison.

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