TE PAE ORANGA
Te Pae Oranga is a tikanga-based, restorative pathway that helps people take responsibility, repair harm, and make positive changes without going through the court system.
Ko wai mātou?
Te Pae Oranga supports adults who have offended by guiding them through a restorative, culturally grounded process that focuses on understanding what happened, why it occurred, and what support is needed to create lasting change.
Participants meet first with a facilitator to prepare, then with a community panel to discuss the offence and agree on a personalised plan that may include reparations, support services, or steps like addressing alcohol or drug use, gaining a licence, or reconnecting with employment or training. The follow-up stage ensures participants complete their plan, and victims are encouraged to take part throughout.
This approach helps people get their lives back on track, reduces harm for victims and whānau, and often works better than taking someone through court.
How it helps
Te Pae Oranga acts as a practical circuit-breaker for people who have made a mistake, are facing difficulties, or need support to address challenges in their lives. It can be a better option than court because:
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people can address the issues they are facing instead of being punished without support
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avoiding a conviction helps protect future employment, education, and travel opportunities
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the process is often less stressful for victims and offers them a safe space to be heard
This pathway supports positive, lasting change for participants, their whānau, and the wider community.
What to expect
Te Pae Oranga has three main stages.
1. Huinga o Mua — Pre Meeting
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Meet with the facilitator (kaikawe kōrero)
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Talk through what happened and why
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Prepare for the main hui
2. Hui Matua — Main Meeting
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Meet with the community panel (māngai o te hapori)
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Share your story and discuss what happened
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Create a tailored plan to repair harm and support change
3. Huinga o Muri — Follow Up
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Connect with services and support
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Work through the actions in the plan
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Police are informed of the outcome
If a participant does not attend or complete their plan, they may still have to go through the court system.
How participants are referred
When someone commits an offence, Police assess whether Te Pae Oranga is suitable. If eligible, they are referred to the local agency that delivers the service.
The participant then meets with the Te Pae Oranga panel, made up of respected community members who bring knowledge, experience, and a community perspective.
Victims are invited to take part, and anyone can bring support people.
What the plan can include
Every plan is personalised to meet the needs of the participant, victim, and community.
Actions may include:
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accessing support to reduce alcohol or drug use
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working toward a driver licence
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finding employment or training
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paying reparation for damage
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listening to how the victim was affected and offering an apology.
These actions help participants address the causes of their offending and build a more stable future.