Māori leaving prison are being released into the community with no housing and nowhere to go, and have told public health researchers the system is set up to send them back to prison.
The researchers, Associate Professor Paula Toko King from the University of Otago, Wellington and Māori health expert Gabrielle Baker, have been studying ways to improve the health and wellbeing of Māori who leave prisons, and their whānau.
Their policy paper, released today, contains recommendations for the Government based on interviews with Māori leaving prison which are broadcast on their podcast, 'TIAKI'.
"The Ministry of Social Development gives people leaving prison a one-off payment of up to $350, which is meant to cover bond, rent, bedding, power, food and clothing. This amount has not been increased since 1991." – Associate Professor Paula Toko King
Associate Professor King says one of the most urgent needs is for the Government to increase the one-off 'Steps to Freedom' grant that is provided to people leaving prison.
"The Ministry of Social Development gives people leaving prison a one-off payment of up to $350, which is meant to cover bond, rent, bedding, power, food and clothing. This amount has not been increased since 1991."
The researchers estimate the true costs faced by people in the first week after release from prison at between $1,170 and $1,800. This compares to the cost of holding someone in prison of $552 a night, or $3,864 a week.
"Any increase in the Steps to Freedom grant up to that level is going to be a potential saving to the Government," she says.
The policy paper also calls for more funding to be directed to Māori health and social service providers and for a new model of health care that continues when people leave prison.
Government data analysed by the researchers shows people released from prison die at more than three times the rate of the wider population, from causes including cardiovascular disease, cancer and suicide. The risk of death is highest in the first month following their release from prison.
Associate Professor King says about a quarter of Māori released from prison are not enrolled with a GP a year after, in part because Government funding rules require Primary Health Organisations to un-enrol anyone held in prison even if it is just for a few weeks.
Gabrielle Baker, the lead author of the policy paper, says Māori being released from prison repeatedly told researchers they preferred working with Māori health and social service providers. However, the Department of Corrections had failed to contract with any Māori-owned and governed providers through its Employment Services division, which helps prepare people for meaningful employment on their return to the community. It also had no contracts with providers with proven expertise in working with tāngata whaikaha Māori (Māori with lived experience of disability).
"We need more funding for Māori health and social service providers. Government funding for the delivery of hauora Māori services was cut by $11 million in the 2026/2027 Budget, a concerning trend given the high level of Māori health and disability need.
"The limited ways in which the Government is providing support means it is almost no support at all. We need to see some changes to that."
Associate Professor King says the Department of Corrections, the Ministry of Health and Health New Zealand need to develop a new model of health care, so people in prison receive the same standard of care as everyone else.
"They need continuity of high-quality, culturally safe, and disability responsive care both inside and outside of prisons.
"We do not accept that prisons are inevitable. But while the state continues to imprison Māori on a mass scale, it has obligations to meet, and it must meet them now."
The full list of recommendations is in the TIAKI policy paper
