For more information and to register for one of the sessions, see the Draft Strategy page or download the community hosted workshops list.

Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora | Ministry of Social Development is seeking feedback on the draft Carers' Strategy Action Plan, which aims to support unpaid or informal carers in homes and communities across Aotearoa. As part of the consultation, a series of community-led engagement workshops are being held.

The Action Plan is intended to be a ‘rolling’ plan with no expiry date that can be built on over time as new challenges arise. The consultation closes on 12 March 2026.

Please direct all queries to the Ministry at CAPsubmissions@msd.govt.nz.

For more information and to register for one of the sessions, see the Draft Strategy page or download the community hosted workshops list.

Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora | Ministry of Social Development is seeking feedback on the draft Carers' Strategy Action Plan, which aims to support unpaid or informal carers in homes and communities across Aotearoa. As part of the consultation, a series of community-led engagement workshops are being held.

The Action Plan is intended to be a ‘rolling’ plan with no expiry date that can be built on over time as new challenges arise. The consultation closes on 12 March 2026.

Please direct all queries to the Ministry at CAPsubmissions@msd.govt.nz.

For more information and to register, please visit the event page.

This training is for any professional working with young people in any capacity, including group and 1-1 work.  This training focuses on topics relating specifically to sexual wellbeing, such as contraception, STIs, and pregnancy options.  It is suitable for a wide range of professionals, including youth workers, sports coaches, social workers, public health nurses, teachers, and educators.

This full-day training focuses on increasing the knowledge, skills, and confidence of professionals to support the young people they work with to navigate their sexual wellbeing.  

This training includes:

• Key information for young people on sexual wellbeing topics
• Guidance to navigate personal values when supporting young people with their sexual wellbeing
• Practical tools to integrate into daily practice and conversations
• Support and signposting information

Please direct all queries to the organiser.

For more information and to register, please visit the event page.

This training is for any professional working with young people in any capacity, including group and 1-1 work.  This training focuses on topics relating specifically to sexual wellbeing, such as contraception, STIs, and pregnancy options.  It is suitable for a wide range of professionals, including youth workers, sports coaches, social workers, public health nurses, teachers, and educators.

This full-day training focuses on increasing the knowledge, skills, and confidence of professionals to support the young people they work with to navigate their sexual wellbeing.  

This training includes:

• Key information for young people on sexual wellbeing topics
• Guidance to navigate personal values when supporting young people with their sexual wellbeing
• Practical tools to integrate into daily practice and conversations
• Support and signposting information

Please direct all queries to the organiser.

For more information and to register, see the event page.

Abstract: The idea that cases of lethal family violence can be accurately predicted ahead of time is a widely held view among academics, policy makers and the news media. This premise has informed public policy internationally and has led to the development of risk assessment frameworks that purport to detect the risk of lethality based on risk factors such as strangulation, controlling behaviour, and sexual assault. However, few empirical studies have sought to examine whether this premise is supported empirically using appropriate longitudinal designs. This presentation will report on a prospective study of nearly 40,000 family violence reports in Victoria Australia. The study examines the extent to which these risk factors can be used alone or in combination to predict lethal and non-lethal family violence. The presentation will discuss the limitations of extant research in this area and the implications of using prediction of lethality as the basis of criminal justice policy.

Please direct all questions to the organiser: nziscs@waikato.ac.nz.

For more information and to register, see the event page.

Abstract: The idea that cases of lethal family violence can be accurately predicted ahead of time is a widely held view among academics, policy makers and the news media. This premise has informed public policy internationally and has led to the development of risk assessment frameworks that purport to detect the risk of lethality based on risk factors such as strangulation, controlling behaviour, and sexual assault. However, few empirical studies have sought to examine whether this premise is supported empirically using appropriate longitudinal designs. This presentation will report on a prospective study of nearly 40,000 family violence reports in Victoria Australia. The study examines the extent to which these risk factors can be used alone or in combination to predict lethal and non-lethal family violence. The presentation will discuss the limitations of extant research in this area and the implications of using prediction of lethality as the basis of criminal justice policy.

Please direct all questions to the organiser: nziscs@waikato.ac.nz.

For more information and to register, please visit the event page.

This 75 minute webinar covers the ways victim-survivors may be located, monitored, and surveilled through technology by abusers. It explores the more commonly used tactics including tracking through purpose-built trackers, inbuilt applications (apps) like ‘Find My’, or through viewing account data, through to the more complex tactics such as accessing the backend of accounts and apps, extracting geolocation data.

Please direct all questions to the organiser.

For more information and to register, please visit the event page.

This 75 minute webinar covers the ways victim-survivors may be located, monitored, and surveilled through technology by abusers. It explores the more commonly used tactics including tracking through purpose-built trackers, inbuilt applications (apps) like ‘Find My’, or through viewing account data, through to the more complex tactics such as accessing the backend of accounts and apps, extracting geolocation data.

Please direct all questions to the organiser.

For more information and to register, see Shama's recent newsletter or email training@shama.org.nz.

This training supports Te Aorerekura and relevant workforce capability frameworks by strengthening culturally safe, reflective, and inclusive practice. Participants will explore how culture, power, and identity shape engagement, and develop practical strategies to support safe and ethical service delivery.

Who should attend:

Counsellors, social service providers, health and community practitioners, and others committed to culturally safe practice.

For more information and to register, see Shama's recent newsletter or email training@shama.org.nz.

This training supports Te Aorerekura and relevant workforce capability frameworks by strengthening culturally safe, reflective, and inclusive practice. Participants will explore how culture, power, and identity shape engagement, and develop practical strategies to support safe and ethical service delivery.

Who should attend:

Counsellors, social service providers, health and community practitioners, and others committed to culturally safe practice.

For more information and to register, visit the event page.

This two-day event will bring together practitioners, researchers, and advocates to examine how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is both contributing to gender-based violence (GBV) and reshaping practice across the GBV and allied sectors.

For all queries, please contact the organiser at: gbvln@uwo.ca.

For more information and to register, visit the event page.

This two-day event will bring together practitioners, researchers, and advocates to examine how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is both contributing to gender-based violence (GBV) and reshaping practice across the GBV and allied sectors.

For all queries, please contact the organiser at: gbvln@uwo.ca.

For more information and to register, visit the event page.

The Learning Network’s 2026 Virtual Forum (LN Virtual Forum) will bring together practitioners, researchers, and advocates to examine how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is both contributing to gender-based violence (GBV) and reshaping practice across the GBV and allied sectors.

By attending this LN Virtual Forum, participants will:

• Enhance understanding and awareness of how AI is being used as a form of GBV and its intersecting impacts;
• Increase awareness of how AI is shaping GBV practice, prevention and response;
• Apply a Trauma- and Violence-Informed lens to discuss implications of AI for survivors, persons causing harm, practitioners, and communities;
• Build shared “AI literacy” across the GBV sector, supporting informed conversations about ethics, sector concerns and responsible use;
• Support calls for equitable, accountable community- and survivor-centered approaches to navigating and responding to AI.

For all queries, please contact the organiser at: gbvln@uwo.ca.

For more information and to register, visit the event page.

The Learning Network’s 2026 Virtual Forum (LN Virtual Forum) will bring together practitioners, researchers, and advocates to examine how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is both contributing to gender-based violence (GBV) and reshaping practice across the GBV and allied sectors.

By attending this LN Virtual Forum, participants will:

• Enhance understanding and awareness of how AI is being used as a form of GBV and its intersecting impacts;
• Increase awareness of how AI is shaping GBV practice, prevention and response;
• Apply a Trauma- and Violence-Informed lens to discuss implications of AI for survivors, persons causing harm, practitioners, and communities;
• Build shared “AI literacy” across the GBV sector, supporting informed conversations about ethics, sector concerns and responsible use;
• Support calls for equitable, accountable community- and survivor-centered approaches to navigating and responding to AI.

For all queries, please contact the organiser at: gbvln@uwo.ca.

To learn more and to register, visit the event page.

This webinar shares insights from recent research on kinship and whānau care in Aotearoa New Zealand, commissioned by Family for Every Child. It explores the complex relationships within kinship care, highlights the support needs of carers, and presents practical principles for practitioners. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of these care arrangements and learn how to better support whānau and kinship carers.

Please direct all queries to the organisers.

To learn more and to register, visit the event page.

This webinar shares insights from recent research on kinship and whānau care in Aotearoa New Zealand, commissioned by Family for Every Child. It explores the complex relationships within kinship care, highlights the support needs of carers, and presents practical principles for practitioners. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of these care arrangements and learn how to better support whānau and kinship carers.

Please direct all queries to the organisers.

For more information and to register, visit the event page.

The topics covered in this training are:

• Definition, nature and dynamics of Family Violence
• Defining and recognising Coercive Control behaviours
• Tech-Facilitated & Post Separation Abuse
• Key Practice approaches in partnering with survivors
• Asking about Family Violence: Sensitive Enquiry
• Responding to disclosures of Family Violence
• Identifying risk
• Safety planning and referral pathways
• Practitioner wellbeing

For questions, please contact the organisers: resisting.collusion@gmail.com.

For more information and to register, visit the event page.

The topics covered in this training are:

• Definition, nature and dynamics of Family Violence
• Defining and recognising Coercive Control behaviours
• Tech-Facilitated & Post Separation Abuse
• Key Practice approaches in partnering with survivors
• Asking about Family Violence: Sensitive Enquiry
• Responding to disclosures of Family Violence
• Identifying risk
• Safety planning and referral pathways
• Practitioner wellbeing

For questions, please contact the organisers: resisting.collusion@gmail.com.

For more information and to register, please see the event page.

Hoake Tātou | Walk With Me has been designed to bring service providers and support agencies together, help strengthen understanding of the barriers men face when seeking help, and highlight the benefits of a purposeful peer support and wellbeing approach to support recovery.

The presentation content includes:

• Safe access and effective engagement of male survivors with support services
• Dispelling some of the common myths about male victims of sexual harm
• Navigate the misunderstandings that create barriers to engagement with support services
• Highlight the role of lived experience as an effective engagement model
• Collaboration and partnerships to welcome and embrace cultural and gender diversity within the male survivor community

In total, 26 events will be held in 17 towns and cities, featuring a panel of presenters at each, including male survivors of sexual abuse.

Please direct all enquiries to the organiser.

Upcoming dates:

• ‍Christchurch: 7  October 2025, 10.00am  & 2.00pm
• ‍Nelson: 8  October 2025, 2.00pm
• ‍Auckland  North: 15  October 2025, 9.30am
• ‍Auckland  Central: 15  October 2025, 2.00pm
• ‍Auckland  Central: 16  October 2025, 9.30am
• ‍Auckland  South: 16  October 2025, 2.00pm
• ‍Hamilton: 29  October 2025, 10.00am  & 2.00pm
• ‍Wellington  – Lower Hutt: 11  November 2025, 9.30am
• ‍Wellington  – Porirua: 11  November 2025, 2.00pm
• ‍Wellington  Central: 12  November 2025, 10.00am  & 2.00pm
• ‍Tauranga: 25  November 2025, 10.00am
• ‍Rotorua: 26  November 2025, 10.00am
• ‍Taupo: 27  November 2025, 10.00am
• ‍Hastings: 9  December 2025, 9.30am
• ‍Napier: 9  December 2025, 2.00pm
• ‍Tairāwhiti: 10  December 2025, 2.00pm
• ‍Whanganui: 11  February 2026, 10.00am
• ‍New  Plymouth: 12  February 2026, 10.00am
• ‍Palmerston  North: 25  February 2026, 10.00am
• ‍Whangārei: 10  March 2026, 10.00am  & 2.00pm

For more information and to register, please see the event page.

Hoake Tātou | Walk With Me has been designed to bring service providers and support agencies together, help strengthen understanding of the barriers men face when seeking help, and highlight the benefits of a purposeful peer support and wellbeing approach to support recovery.

The presentation content includes:

• Safe access and effective engagement of male survivors with support services
• Dispelling some of the common myths about male victims of sexual harm
• Navigate the misunderstandings that create barriers to engagement with support services
• Highlight the role of lived experience as an effective engagement model
• Collaboration and partnerships to welcome and embrace cultural and gender diversity within the male survivor community

In total, 26 events will be held in 17 towns and cities, featuring a panel of presenters at each, including male survivors of sexual abuse.

Please direct all enquiries to the organiser.

Upcoming dates:

• ‍Christchurch: 7  October 2025, 10.00am  & 2.00pm
• ‍Nelson: 8  October 2025, 2.00pm
• ‍Auckland  North: 15  October 2025, 9.30am
• ‍Auckland  Central: 15  October 2025, 2.00pm
• ‍Auckland  Central: 16  October 2025, 9.30am
• ‍Auckland  South: 16  October 2025, 2.00pm
• ‍Hamilton: 29  October 2025, 10.00am  & 2.00pm
• ‍Wellington  – Lower Hutt: 11  November 2025, 9.30am
• ‍Wellington  – Porirua: 11  November 2025, 2.00pm
• ‍Wellington  Central: 12  November 2025, 10.00am  & 2.00pm
• ‍Tauranga: 25  November 2025, 10.00am
• ‍Rotorua: 26  November 2025, 10.00am
• ‍Taupo: 27  November 2025, 10.00am
• ‍Hastings: 9  December 2025, 9.30am
• ‍Napier: 9  December 2025, 2.00pm
• ‍Tairāwhiti: 10  December 2025, 2.00pm
• ‍Whanganui: 11  February 2026, 10.00am
• ‍New  Plymouth: 12  February 2026, 10.00am
• ‍Palmerston  North: 25  February 2026, 10.00am
• ‍Whangārei: 10  March 2026, 10.00am  & 2.00pm

To learn more and to register, visit the event page.

This webinar will explore how a whole-family approach can promote wellbeing for neurodivergent parents and children.  

This webinar will provide attendees with:

• increased understanding of the strengths of neurodivergent parents as well as the unique and complex challenges they can face
• strategies you can use to foster communication, connection and understanding in neurodivergent families
• guidance on how to take a whole-family approach to support the mental health and wellbeing of neurodivergent children.

Please note, this webinar will not provide information or guidance on conducting assessments for Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or other neurodivergent presentations.

A recording of the webinar will be made available on the AIFS website: https://aifs.gov.au/webinars.

Please direct all queries to the organiser.

To learn more and to register, visit the event page.

This webinar will explore how a whole-family approach can promote wellbeing for neurodivergent parents and children.  

This webinar will provide attendees with:

• increased understanding of the strengths of neurodivergent parents as well as the unique and complex challenges they can face
• strategies you can use to foster communication, connection and understanding in neurodivergent families
• guidance on how to take a whole-family approach to support the mental health and wellbeing of neurodivergent children.

Please note, this webinar will not provide information or guidance on conducting assessments for Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or other neurodivergent presentations.

A recording of the webinar will be made available on the AIFS website: https://aifs.gov.au/webinars.

Please direct all queries to the organiser.

To learn more and to register, please see the event page.

This session explores Concerning Sexualised Behaviour (CSB) from neurodivergent taiohi, and how we can respond to their needs in ways that foster healthy sexual development.

Drawing on research and practice insights, this webinar will unpack what is known about neurodivergent and learning-disabled young peoples' experiences and consider how adult attitudes towards young people’s sexuality can significantly shape outcomes.

Together, this webinar will look at common behaviour concerns and identify practical strategies attendees can adopt to address these, while supporting young people to build safe, respectful, and positive understandings of sexuality and relationships.

For all queries, please contact coordinator@wharaurau.org.nz.

To learn more and to register, please see the event page.

This session explores Concerning Sexualised Behaviour (CSB) from neurodivergent taiohi, and how we can respond to their needs in ways that foster healthy sexual development.

Drawing on research and practice insights, this webinar will unpack what is known about neurodivergent and learning-disabled young peoples' experiences and consider how adult attitudes towards young people’s sexuality can significantly shape outcomes.

Together, this webinar will look at common behaviour concerns and identify practical strategies attendees can adopt to address these, while supporting young people to build safe, respectful, and positive understandings of sexuality and relationships.

For all queries, please contact coordinator@wharaurau.org.nz.