Prisoners Aid work in New Zealand had its beginnings in Dunedin in 1877 and spread to the major centres by the turn of the century. Today there are PARS support services throughout New Zealand where there is a Prisoners Aid and Rehabilitation Society available.
PARS Rotorua was established in Rotorua in 1962. It became an Incorporated Society in May 1969. Our official name is "The Rotorua District Prisoners' Aid And Rehabilitation Society Incorporated."
A Committee of Governance, Coordinator, Field Worker, Court Support Worker, Drivers and Volunteers operate from a Rotorua office to make up the PARS Rotorua structure.
PARS Rotorua provides services to the community of the Rotorua district. Then in 2011, at the request of New Zealand PARS, they expanded their services to include the community of the Eastern Bay of Plenty district. The major centres serviced are Rotorua, Whakatane and Opotiki.
PARS Rotorua is funded through grants and contracts with the Department of Corrections, Lottery Board, COGS, RECT and other community funders. They also receive private donations (both money and goods) from the public.