Sir Kim Workman
Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Rangitāne o Wairarapa
Robert Kinsela (Kim) Workman KNZM QSO
Kim Workman (of Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa and Rangitaane) is a retired public servant, whose career spans roles in the Police, the Office of the Ombudsman, State Services Commission, and the Department of Māori Affairs. He was Head of the Prison Service from 1989 – 1993.
In 2000, Kim was appointed National Director, Prison Fellowship New Zealand (PFNZ), and retired from that position in 2008. In 2005, Kim was the joint recipient (with Jackie Katounas) of the International Prize for Restorative Justice. In 2006 Kim joined with the Salvation Army, to launch the “Rethinking Crime and Punishment” (RCP) Project. In 2011 he formed Justspeak, a movement that involves youth in criminal justice advocacy and reform.
In 2016, Kim was awarded the degree of Doctor of Literature (DLitt Well) by the Council of Victoria University, and in 2017, the same degree by the Council of Massey University. In February 2018, Kim was awarded Senior New Zealander of the Year, under the New Zealander of the Year Awards Scheme. He was appointed a Companion of the Queens Service Order in 2007, and as a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2019.
Kim is a member the NZ Parole Board and chairs the Independent Panel which oversees the ‘Understanding Policing Delivery’ project.
Kim has six children, 10 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He enjoys listening and playing jazz.
Lifting the veil of silence on Racism within Criminal Justice
"The voices of Indigenous communities are silenced too often in our criminal justice system. However, it starts right from their involvement in care and protection to youth justice to criminal justice. This talanoa talks about the face of racism that can be ‘silent’ yet continues to traumatise many of our children, young people in care and often contributing to their pathway in the criminal justice system. The voices of whānau will be heard including Julia's own lived experience as a Samoan clinical psychologist and academic, and the racism that comes with those identities.
Julia will discuss the covert and silent racism that continues to seep through from our care to justice systems, and why we don’t do what it takes to lift this veil of silence.
Kim explores the history of racism within the criminal justice system from colonial times, and shares his own experiences from 1958 as a serving police officer, head of the prison service, service provider, and latterly as a justice advocate."
