As part of our research, we had the privilege of making several short films with whānau who participated in He Ture Kia Tika. Carly is one of our whānau participants who has kindly shared her powerful and inspiring story with us. Today, Carly’s film is also being released publically today and is a moving watch. In this blog, we focus on the progress Carly has made since first becoming involved in the project. Her beautiful kōrero at our Auckland launch hui and her plans for the future.
What’s happened for you since filming?
• I’ve graduated with my level 7 diploma in Applied addictions counselling
• Continuing to build strong healthy relationships with family
• Turned 5 years clean and sober.
• Enjoyed my first year working as a youth drug and alcohol counsellor, enjoying the move away from using my trauma as a way of connecting with rangatahi and using my education to support them instead.
• Spoke at Cutting Edge last year and presented on the importance of lived experience kaimahi working with rangatahi.
• Regularly speaking at Unitec to encourage the presence of lived experience kaimahi within the sector.
What Carly had to say at the launch of He Ture Kia Tika at Hoani Waititi Marae
• Gratitude for the process with He Ture Kia Tika and that they allowed me to tell my story without re-traumatising myself or my whanau. It was so important to me for me to maintain the mana of my mum and dad through this process because although things were hard, I know they did their best. I didn’t feel like my trauma was sensationalised and this was important to me because I’ve done media in the past where they have tried and it causes shame for me like the darkness is all they are interested in not the light. Redemption should be the focus. Not the pain.
• I am grateful for the opportunity to hold hope for the narrative that people in the criminal justice system are worth the time and effort to rehabilitate because with the right support look at what I’ve been able to achieve. I’m grateful to push against the narrative that “a zebra never changes its stripes”.
• Education has been my biggest rehabilitation, and access should be available for all people. My self-worth changed through my education journey and ultimately it is my self-worth that will keep me clean and keep me from reoffending.
• The wero that I laid down is that this project has shined a light on the damage that is laid after 15 years of criminal justice involvement. I’d love to see a research project that highlights the years of institutionalism faced by rangatahi in the youth justice system. If you’ve ever been into a youth justice prison, it still looks and feels like a prison. But it’s filled with children. I want everyone to know this.
What’s next for Carly?
• This year, I’m going to learn to kōrero i te reo Māori. I know the basics but am incredibly passionate about supporting Māori and Pasifika rangatahi. Honouring Te Tiriti can feel overwhelming for a pākehā wahine, however I know that the delivery of equity and equality ultimately lies with me in my practice. Speaking te reo is a great step in the right direction. It was also a gift to myself after completing my level 7, as it is something I’ve always wanted to do.
• A post graduate diploma is definitely on the cards for this year and I’m excited to come and join the AUT whanau for this as I’ve become close with so many of them through the He Ture Kia Tika journey. I’m excited to do post-grad studies, however I see it as a stepping stone for my ultimate education goal of doing a master’s in youth forensics. I want a seat at the table where real changes are being made at a policy level, and I believe that my lived experience coupled with this tohu will allow me to have a voice in this space.
• My passion is to continue to show up for my daughter in the best way I can. Im excited that I got to support her last 2 years of high school, she is an incredible athlete (gold at nationals for rowing this year and best female sportsperson in her year for 2023), and working towards her goal of joining the police force training college in 2026.
• I will continue to take opportunities to speak about the change that is possible with the right interventions and why our current prison systems do not serve our people.
I thank you all for giving me the opportunity to tell my story, and I look forward to showing my whānau and feeling proud of my ability to share the truth and keep them safe.
Watch Carly’s film
Ngā mihi Carly
Thank you Carly, from the He Ture Kia Tika rōpū we are super grateful for the wisdom you have shared with us all. You can also read more about Carly’s story in our e-book collection, Ngā Taonga and see her contribution to our He Ture Kia Tika report on our resources page.
He Ture Kia Tika 