Working towards better sentencing outcomes

Ko wai ahau? - Who am I?

Ko Hikurangi te maunga
Ko Waiapu te moana
Ko Horouta te waka
Ko Ngāti Porou te iwi
Ko Hinetapora te hapu
Ko Mangahanea te marae
Ko Te Tairāwhiti ahau
Ko Maaka toku whānau
Ko Aimee Maaka toku ingoa

Whakapapa

Kia Ora, my name is Aimee Maaka and I am a Māori wāhine who has whakapapa back to Ngāti Porou out on the East Coast via my paternal grandmother, as well as Ngāpuhi up North in Matawaia. We also have links to Ngāti Kahungunu through my paternal grandfather. My mother is pākehā Australian, and as such I have also spent many years in Australia.

Currently

Currently, I am residing in Te Whanagui-a-Tara (Wellington) and complete Cultural and Background reports under section 27 of the Sentencing Act (2002) for those appearing to District and Youth Courts. I work in a trauma-informed, culturally appropriate and compassionate way, and believe strongly in advocating for those disproportionately impacted by our Court system.

‘I orea te tuatara ka patu ki waho’

A problem is solved by continuing to find solutions

My experience

 

  • I have worked as a Social Worker for the last 11 years, primarily in the criminal justice sector in roles across Australia, the United Kingdom and Aotearoa. I have a Bachelor of Human Services, and am about to commence post-graduate studies in Māori Philosophy and Law.

    Over the last 11 years I have worked in:

    • Prisons - as a Social Worker and Team Leader

    • Youth Justice Service Centres - as a Team Leader

    • Youth and District Courts

    • Gang Specialist Support

    • Policy roles - for Government departments

    As part of these roles, I have regularly completed:

    • Pre-Sentence Reports

    • Risk assessments for violent and sexual offenders

    • Case plans and case notes

    • Cultural Reports

    • Reintegration plans for release from custody

    • Running therapeutic groups

  • Previous training I have completed has included:

    • Griffith Youth Forensic Service (GYFS) working with sexual offenders

    • Aggression Replacement Training (ART) for anger management

    • CHART Training (Changing Habits and Reaching Targets) addressing recidivism

    • Relapse Prevention and management addressing substance abuse

    • Trauma Informed Care

 

Have a patai?

If you, or your client think I can support you in relation to an upcoming court appearance, please feel free to contact us today.

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