Maori imprisonment rates in the Bay of Plenty remain steady, despite overall sentencing for crimes trending downwards.

Ministry of Justice figures show 434 Maori were imprisoned in 2016 – 72 per cent of the total imprisonments for the Bay of Plenty that year.

However, fewer Maori are being convicted of crimes. Last year 2499 sentences were passed down to Maori offenders, significantly less than the 2009 high of 3605 sentences.

Imprisonments are down slightly from a 2010 high of 496, but have not fallen as greatly.

For criminals of European descent, the decline in convictions is even greater, with the number of sentences handed down halving since 2009.

Last year 1566 Pakeha were convicted of crimes, of which 143 resulted in imprisonment.

The data suggests that the areas in which crime may be reducing are those which are punished by community work or fines. These types of sentences have halved for both Maori and non-Maori since 2009.

Justice Minister Amy Adams says the over-representation of Maori in the justice system, both as perpetrators and as victims, is an ongoing concern.

'While there has been a significant reduction in total crime over the past five years for both Maori and non-Maori, these reductions have not been as large for Maori when compared to non-Maori. This means that Maori over-representation has not improved.”

She says tackling this issue is a priority, and they've already implemented programmes to address it, including the Youth Crime Action plan, restorative justice processes that aling with Maori values, and iwi panels.

'There is no one silver bullet, however we remain committed to addressing this issue and focussing on initiatives that will make a difference.”

Labour party candidate for Waiariki Tamati Coffey says the National-Maori Party government have ‘taken their eyes of the road' when it comes to the growing Maori prison population.

'This is a national issue and the fact there isn't an outcry leading to an inquiry around the levels of Maori over-representation in our justice and corrections system is a national disgrace.

'We can't keep recycling young Maori through the prison system, especially in the Waiariki rohe. Statistics show the disproportion is higher in our rural townships where education is limited, unemployment is high and gangs are more influential on our young people than achieving the Kiwi dream.”

'To seriously address the fact that 63 per cent of Maori are re-convicted within two years, we need to acknowledge that the role, treatment and inclusion of whanau in our justice system is key to any positive possible alternative outcome.”

He wants to see a specific Maori reoffending reduction target brought in, with a focus on supporting reintegration into the community.

'Ensuring we have adequately funded resources invested in integration, and working to inspire our youth with positive role models, is just one obvious strategy which attacks the issue from both sides. I look forward to being a part of the nationwide korero around this issue needed to get the ball rolling.”

Waiariki MP and Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell says he's focused on solutions.

'The Labour Party is fixated on problems. We are talking about inter-generational issues that over 20 to 30 years have been exacerbated by successive governments.

'In order to break the cycle, we need a justice system that works with whanau at all levels – in prevention, rehabilitation and reintegration. This must also include hapu and iwi, who want to support their own by reconnecting them to their culture and identity.”

He says a person who is strong in their culture and identity and are part of a strong whanau is less likely to commit crime and be imprisoned.

'I have visited the prisons in the electorate and know the positive effect that kaupapa Maori like Whare Oranga Ake have on Maori inmates. We need more whanau-centric services like Whanau Ora that work with the whanau and not just individuals, in our communities and prisons.”

Coinciding with the release of the Tu Mai te Rangi! report on Tuesday, the Waitangi Tribunal announced the Crown risks breaching its Treaty of Waitangi obligations by failing to prioritise the reduction of the high rate of Maori reoffending.