"Whare Oranga Ake" are special residential units within the Department of Corrections (Ara Poutama Aotearoa) designed to help Māori prisoners reintegrate into the community. They provide a kaupapa Māori environment and cultural support to help prisoners re-establish their lives, find employment, and build positive connections outside of prison. 

• Purpose: The units help prisoners transition back into society by providing a culturally responsive environment, which helps strengthen their cultural identity.

• Programmes: They help with training for employment, finding sustainable accommodation, and forming supportive networks with community and iwi organizations.

• Eligibility: Only minimum-security prisoners who have already completed relevant treatment programs are eligible for placement in these units.

• Location: While there are two such units, one is located at Hawke's Bay Regional Prison and the other at Spring Hill Corrections Facility.

• Aspiration: The name "Ara Poutama" also refers to the "pathway of excellence" and is a term used by Ara Poutama Aotearoa to describe its overall strategy for supporting prisoners to leave prison better and with brighter prospects.

• Partnership: They are a collaborative effort with other organizations, such as