title: Constructing a successful Restorative Justice Conference: A tentative analysis

authors: Holm, Rodney

subjects: Restorative Justice Conference analysis

abstract: This thesis is an examination of the language used in Restorative Justice Conferences in schools.  After examining the origins and the concept of restorative justice the study utilises the conceptual tools which are located in a social constructionist approach to language use and meaning-making.  In so doing the study draws on discourse theory, positioning theory, narrative theory, and, more latterly, relational theory.
Restorative Justice (RJ) is a modern approach to social conflict, offering an alternative process to the traditional punitive system widely used in schools.  Although the process is increasingly used around the world, and has many fervent practitioners, there is a considerable gap in our understanding of just how the process achieves the results that its adherents claim for it.
The site of this study is a secondary school in New Zealand, and two RJ conferences were audio recorded along with separate recordings later from each participant.  The theory of social constructionism suggests that the meaning of things and any sense of personal identity is created through social interaction and the creation of particular kinds of relationship.  In this framework, meaning is never established once and for all, but is constantly negotiated and created through social interaction.
Accordingly, close attention has been paid to the dialogue and the nature of the linguistic exchanges.  In short, it has focussed on the way relationships and identities are constructed through the deliberate and purposeful use of language, thus setting up the possibility of people resolving the harm, and going on in peace.  It is suggested that a key element is in the setting up of relationships of equal concern, dignity and respect.
The research both vindicates the claims that are made for the efficacy of the process in solving social conflict, and more importantly, offers an enhanced understanding of exactly what is going on in those conferences that makes that peaceful resolution possible.  Although it is limited to only two such conferences, it is hoped that it will offer a glimpse of what it is possible to learn about the effects of different ways of speaking using these constructionist conceptual tools.

text: Constructing a successful Restorative Justice Conference: A tentative analysis This thesis is an examination of the language used in Restorative Justice Conferences in schools.  After examining the origins and the concept of restorative justice the study utilises the conceptual tools which are located in a social constructionist approach to language use and meaning-making.  In so doing the study draws on discourse theory, positioning theory, narrative theory, and, more latterly, relational theory.
Restorative Justice (RJ) is a modern approach to social conflict, offering an alternative process to the traditional punitive system widely used in schools.  Although the process is increasingly used around the world, and has many fervent practitioners, there is a considerable gap in our understanding of just how the process achieves the results that its adherents claim for it.
The site of this study is a secondary school in New Zealand, and two RJ conferences were audio recorded along with separate recordings later from each participant.  The theory of social constructionism suggests that the meaning of things and any sense of personal identity is created through social interaction and the creation of particular kinds of relationship.  In this framework, meaning is never established once and for all, but is constantly negotiated and created through social interaction.
Accordingly, close attention has been paid to the dialogue and the nature of the linguistic exchanges.  In short, it has focussed on the way relationships and identities are constructed through the deliberate and purposeful use of language, thus setting up the possibility of people resolving the harm, and going on in peace.  It is suggested that a key element is in the setting up of relationships of equal concern, dignity and respect.
The research both vindicates the claims that are made for the efficacy of the process in solving social conflict, and more importantly, offers an enhanced understanding of exactly what is going on in those conferences that makes that peaceful resolution possible.  Although it is limited to only two such conferences, it is hoped that it will offer a glimpse of what it is possible to learn about the effects of different ways of speaking using these constructionist conceptual tools.

year: 2014

title: Difference and diversity in Aotearoa/New Zealand: Post-neoliberal constructions of the ideal ethnic citizen

authors: Simon-Kumar, Rachel

subjects: active citizen

abstract: In the last decade, the political rhetoric around citizenship for ethnic minority groups, particularly recent migrants, in Aotearoa/New Zealand has been influenced by two dominant paradigms. In the wake of the post-neoliberalism advanced by the Fifth Labour Government (1999–2008) and the efforts to build an inclusive state, the idea of the ‘active citizen’ has evolved, encouraging ethnic migrants to contribute to their own communities and to a wider New Zealand identity. Equally, broader discourses on the recognition of group-based citizenship have helped ethnic communities in securing a multicultural framing of social rights. Based on qualitative analysis of interview and policy documents, this paper argues that the active citizen and the rights-bearing citizen emerge from  discrete paradigms that reveal a fundamental tension between policy-centred celebration of diversity  and the political recognition of difference.

text: Difference and diversity in Aotearoa/New Zealand: Post-neoliberal constructions of the ideal ethnic citizen In the last decade, the political rhetoric around citizenship for ethnic minority groups, particularly recent migrants, in Aotearoa/New Zealand has been influenced by two dominant paradigms. In the wake of the post-neoliberalism advanced by the Fifth Labour Government (1999–2008) and the efforts to build an inclusive state, the idea of the ‘active citizen’ has evolved, encouraging ethnic migrants to contribute to their own communities and to a wider New Zealand identity. Equally, broader discourses on the recognition of group-based citizenship have helped ethnic communities in securing a multicultural framing of social rights. Based on qualitative analysis of interview and policy documents, this paper argues that the active citizen and the rights-bearing citizen emerge from  discrete paradigms that reveal a fundamental tension between policy-centred celebration of diversity  and the political recognition of difference.

year: 2012

title: Whānau Māori explain how the Harti Hauora Tamariki tool assists better access to health services

authors: Masters-Awatere, Bridgette

abstract: In this paper whānau Māori highlight how a Kaupapa Māori centred intervention (the Harti Hauora Tamariki tool) has improved interactions with health services. The Harti tool is undergoing a Randomised Control Trial at Waikato Hospital in New Zealand. As part of the RCT, the authors engaged in a series of qualitative interviews with whānau members of tamariki Māori (children aged 0-5years) admitted to Waikato Hospital’s paediatric ward. Whānau who met at least one criteria for New Zealand’s domains of deprivation were included. Using a Kaupapa Māori approach to the study, participants shared their views on barriers and facilitators to accessing health resources and primary care services. Our interviews highlight how the Harti tool, when administered in a culturally appropriate and respectful manner that prioritised relationship-building, enabled better connection to healthcare services. Prevalent in our analysis were connections to wider determinants of health and ways to reduce existing health inequities. To conclude the paper, we highlight how the tool has enhanced feelings of being in control of health with the potential to reduce the likelihood of a hospital readmission.

text: Whānau Māori explain how the Harti Hauora Tamariki tool assists better access to health services In this paper whānau Māori highlight how a Kaupapa Māori centred intervention (the Harti Hauora Tamariki tool) has improved interactions with health services. The Harti tool is undergoing a Randomised Control Trial at Waikato Hospital in New Zealand. As part of the RCT, the authors engaged in a series of qualitative interviews with whānau members of tamariki Māori (children aged 0-5years) admitted to Waikato Hospital’s paediatric ward. Whānau who met at least one criteria for New Zealand’s domains of deprivation were included. Using a Kaupapa Māori approach to the study, participants shared their views on barriers and facilitators to accessing health resources and primary care services. Our interviews highlight how the Harti tool, when administered in a culturally appropriate and respectful manner that prioritised relationship-building, enabled better connection to healthcare services. Prevalent in our analysis were connections to wider determinants of health and ways to reduce existing health inequities. To conclude the paper, we highlight how the tool has enhanced feelings of being in control of health with the potential to reduce the likelihood of a hospital readmission.

year: 2019