Kiri Hunter

Kiri's current PhD focus is a co-designed Kaupapa Māori research study exploring South Auckland police responses to, and interactions with Māori experiencing mental distress. New Zealand Police espouse a commitment to being responsive to Māori as tangata whenua, yet how does this translate when police as first responders are called to mental health-related events in the community?

This study is undertaken in a climate where Māori experience disproportionate and inequitable negative impacts in response to police interactions, and where mental health resourcing is inadequately resourced. Mental health events across Aotearoa New Zealand have increased by 60 percent for Police in the past five years and are predicted to increase by a further 44 percent by 2025. For Police, being an active and engaged Tiriti partner means improving competence and capability to address Māori needs and aspirations.

Watch the following Pecha Kucha style presentation by Kiri: At wit's end(external link)