A mentoring programme for high risk Pasifika offenders has passed its first test, and is preparing for a new intake.

Five ex-prisoners have completed the program and graduated.

So far none have re-offended, one has a job and all say they want to stay involved.

Tui Ah Loo of the post prison mentoring service PARS says an important part of it is creating a family type environment.

"The community mentors are from the community, in the community and they are the community.

"They are Pasifika people, so it's by Pasifika, for Pasifika - with Pasifika."