"Puna Wai Ora members provide spiritual, cultural and emotional support to Māori and non-Māori, to those currently serving time in prison or facing the prospect of a prison sentence. Puna Wai Ora provides four unique programs aimed toward the rehabilitation of clients' well-being. This is true restorative justice (from the perspective of the offender), where the offence committed becomes the catalyst for new-found healing of spiritual, cultural and emotional wounds of the past. Here, society is the stakeholder in the wellbeing of the offender."
THIS PROGRAM WAS FOUNDED ON THE LOVE OF ONE WOMAN
Rene Wikaira of Papakura was the matriarch of eight children, and raised her children in a home confronted with the challenges of domestic and family violence. This tumultuous environment impacted on her children, and a number of her children would face regular court appearances, from driving under the influence of alcohol, to car and property theft. Yet Rene was always the one to be by her children's side, and to advocate on their behalf. During this time of Rene's many court appearances, the judge would give anybody supporting the offender an opportunity to speak. On one particularly serious occasion, where one of her children was facing the likelihood of a prison sentence, knowing that lawyers bowed before the judge, Rene decided to do the same and asked with the greatest of humility, "Would you consider pardoning my son?" The judge agreed and her son was let off with a severe warning. She bowed again with the greatest of humility, for it was humility that Rene was renowned for. One judge spoke to Rene and admired her tenacity to support her children in the wake of the emotional toll that it took on her, and spoke at length on her decision to keep supporting her children. Seeing the effect her court appearances had on her emotional wellbeing, and the toll it took, this caused a few of her children to change their ways.
All of her children would speak of her glowingly as a true saint amongst men, and as a lady who would give her own life for her children, who was gifted by God the tender gift of humility. One of her children who witnessed this humility and the length she went to support her children was her son Arthur; who later in life with his partner Glen, founded the healing centre, Puna Wai Ora (meaning the Source of Life), which was also the name of her family home. Through this organisation (which was founded in 2006), many thousands of people around the world are helped each year in a variety of healing methods and spiritual teachings; from ground-breaking Knowledge brought forth from God on the origin of cancer, to how spiritual, mental and emotional dis-ease is formed when the mind is separated from the Mind of Christ.
In this final chapter, God has guided Arthur and Glen to focus their efforts on the rehabilitation of prisoners, to follow in the footsteps of our beloved Rene, to bring hope and healing and spiritual transformation to those who seek a new way of life.
All of her children would speak of her glowingly as a true saint amongst men, and as a lady who would give her own life for her children, who was gifted by God the tender gift of humility. One of her children who witnessed this humility and the length she went to support her children was her son Arthur; who later in life with his partner Glen, founded the healing centre, Puna Wai Ora (meaning the Source of Life), which was also the name of her family home. Through this organisation (which was founded in 2006), many thousands of people around the world are helped each year in a variety of healing methods and spiritual teachings; from ground-breaking Knowledge brought forth from God on the origin of cancer, to how spiritual, mental and emotional dis-ease is formed when the mind is separated from the Mind of Christ.
In this final chapter, God has guided Arthur and Glen to focus their efforts on the rehabilitation of prisoners, to follow in the footsteps of our beloved Rene, to bring hope and healing and spiritual transformation to those who seek a new way of life.
AT PUNA WAI ORA THERE IS NO SPIRITUAL DOGMA
For those considering undertaking The Four Pillars rehabilitation programs below, it is important to understand that all faiths and belief-systems are respected and given a place to exist. It is not the intention of the members of Puna Wai Ora to coerce or force their own spiritual beliefs onto others, and everyone is empowered to discover and journey their own spiritual path. The programs below are focused on generic spiritual ideals, rather than on the adherence to any one particular faith.
SELF-EMPOWERMENT OF SPIRITUAL MANA
The Four Pillars rehabilitation programs are four unique programs, with a special focus on self-empowerment and restoration of spiritual mana. Program participants are given the opportunity to work at their own pace through each of the tasks laid out in the 198-page workbook, and are followed up with weekly or twice-weekly in person or telephone support. This empowers participants to self-discover their own narrative surrounding past wounds and to engage in the healing process on their own.
FORMAT OF REHABILITATION PROGRAMS
The Four Pillars rehabilitation programs can be undertaken over a period of four weeks, or a period of four months. The four week format is designed for those who are awaiting sentencing, or short-term re-evaluation of their sentencing. Under this format those awaiting sentencing receive twice-weekly 30-minute in person support. Those who are incarcerated receive twice-weekly 15-minute telephone support. The four month format is designed for those who are incarcerated and awaiting long-term re-evaluation of their sentencing, and provides the opportunity to undertake a more thorough application of the four rehabilitation programs. Under this format those incarcerated receive weekly 15-minute telephone support.
Before the program begins, participants are provided with a free copy of the 198-page workbook. Participants are given guidance on how to undertake the program during the first of their weekly or twice-weekly support sessions.
Before the program begins, participants are provided with a free copy of the 198-page workbook. Participants are given guidance on how to undertake the program during the first of their weekly or twice-weekly support sessions.
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The Four Pillars
Rehabilitation Programs
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PROGRAM #1: REPENTANCE
Repentance as a key to spiritual rehabilitation is taught as a central component in most of the world's religions, including Christianity and Buddhism. This program reveals the importance of repentance, how to repent to God, wairua, loved ones (whānau), church members, and those we have offended, as well as how to repent to oneself. This is a dynamic program that involves visualisation of actual repentance and how to include this in one's daily life.
PROGRAM #2: FORGIVENESS
Forgiveness is the key to self-healing; for at the mental, emotional and spiritual level, one cannot exist without the other. This program outlines various techniques to help us quickly and easily forgive those who have trespassed against us. Forgiveness is not a one-dimensional act; for without certain preliminary acts, forgiveness is in fact impossible. This is why so many struggle with forgiveness! Here we learn to finally break free from the past.
PROGRAM #3: ACCEPTANCE
Acceptance is the key to inner peace; for unless we accept everything that comes into our life as a divine experience that has come to play an important part in our life's journey, we will inevitably experience anguish, frustration and despair. This fight against God's Plan for our life subsequently creates the presence of dis-ease (or the absence of ease, or inner peace). This program shows us how to transcend the fight and make peace with our own life journey.
PROGRAM #4: LOVE WITHOUT CONDITIONS
Loving others, ourself and God without conditions is the process of not placing expectations on others, ourself or God. When we do create expectations, we will inevitably experience disappointment, either in ourself, others and/or God. We are also not surrendering to God's Plan and instead are trying to control and manipulate God, others and outcomes, and this blocks the flow of love. This powerful program reminds us how to love without conditions.
COURT SUPPORT
Members of Puna Wai Ora are available for in person court support (such as during sentencing) to provide spiritual and emotional support, as well as to advocate for clients where this is deemed appropriate by Puna Wai Ora and the court.
LOCATION OF IN PERSON SUPPORT
For those awaiting sentencing, rehabilitation programs are conducted in private meeting rooms, either at the district court (in Manukau, Papakura and Pukekohe), the public library or Friendship House (situated directly across from Manukau District Court). Additional locations, encompassing the Waikato-Hauraki district, are also being considered at this time.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Eligibility will be determined by Puna Wai Ora, the judge of the district court or probation officer, and may be ordered by the judge under special circumstances. An offender may request to the judge or probation officer to voluntarily enrol on the 4-week program (outlined above). The judge may request a written report of progress after completion of the second week. Further, an offender incarcerated may request to Puna Wai Ora to voluntarily enrol on the extended 4-month program.
