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National Strategy and Action Plan
Te Aorerekura is the National Strategy and Action Plan that sets out a new collective path for government, tangata whenua, specialist sectors, and communities to eliminate family violence and sexual violence in Aotearoa New Zealand. This is the first national strategy that includes both family violence and sexual violence.
Te Aorerekura is available in Te Reo Māori and other languages and accessible formats.
The purpose of the strategy is to outline a framework to eliminate family violence and sexual violence, to drive coordinated government action and to build and support community action.
The Strategy document states "Te Aorerekura is a 25 year strategy because it will take a generation of sustained investment and focus to strengthen the protective factors and enable the social changes required in Aotearoa New Zealand."
The moemoeā, or vision, for Te Aorerekura is “All people in Aotearoa New Zealand are thriving, their wellbeing is enhanced and sustained because they are safe and supported to live their lives free from family violence and sexual violence.”
The Strategy is guided by five principles – the whanonga pono: equity and inclusion, aroha, tika and pono, kotahitanga and kaitiakitanga. It outlines six 'shifts' or changes that are needed to address the drivers of violence and work towards achieving the vision of the strategy:
- strength-based wellbeing
- mobilising communities
- skilled, culturally competent and sustainable workforces
- investment in primary prevention
- safe, accessible, and integrated responses
- increased capacity for healing
Under each shift are broad actions that will lead to the shift. There are 40 initial actions outlined in the Action Plan for the National Strategy. The Action Plan covers two years through December 2023. It lists activities underneath each action and includes who is responsible for leading the activity and who is involved. The Plan is intended to be reviewed and refreshed annually, following an annual hui by tangata whenua, communities and the specialist sectors alongside government.
Te Aorerekura takes a wellbeing and strength-based approach to eliminating violence which includes a focus on primary prevention and healing. This draws on Te Tokotoru model developed by the Auckland Co-Design Lab and The Southern Initiative. See the October 2021 report Designing for equity and intergenerational wellbeing: Te Tokotoru.
The Strategy acknowledges the drivers of violence including that violence is about power, the gendered nature of violence, the compounding effects of colonisation, racism and sexism, and the differing experiences and needs of diverse people, families and whānau. It acknowledges that accountability is required from government and from people using violence while at the same time supporting people who use violence to change.
It also includes an overview of how it gives effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi | The Treaty of Waitangi, and acknowledges the role of tangata whenua and community leadership for achieving intergenerational change.
In launching Te Aorerekura, Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence Marama Davidson said:
“We need to address the intergenerational impacts of colonisation and racism in order for us to eliminate violence. Violence that impacts whānau is rooted in the marginalisation of tangata whenua and societal changes enforced during the colonisation of Aotearoa. There are solutions within the promotion and strengthening of whānau ora that require a focus on healing, restoration, redress and a return to a state of noa – being without limitations.
You can watch a video of the launch of Te Aorerekura. Also see summaries from the community engagement (scroll to the bottom of the page) to develop the Strategy.
Minister Davidson said on social media:
"At the root of this violence is often complex, interwoven and often inter-generational issues that are enabled by a range of underlying social conditions, norms, and hierarchies of power and equity.
As many of you have experienced, Aotearoa’s response to family violence and sexual violence has historically been siloed and under-resourced and has tended to focus on responses rather than prevention.
It is clear that approach has not worked, we have not reduced the violence experienced in this country.
This year we set out to listen and learn how we could do things differently."
Also see Minister Davidson's speech from the launch of Te Aorerekura. Minister Davidson has been interviewed about Te Aorerekura by RNZ, Te Ao Māori news and Waatea News.
The NZ Herald reported that new National Party Leader Christopher Luxon is supportive of the Strategy.
Some government agencies have published information that reference their role in implementing Te Aorerekura, including: ACC, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Social Development.
Changes to Joint Venture and new Tangata Whenua Advisory Group
Minister Davidson has announced that a new interdepartmental executive Board for the elimination of family violence and sexual violence will replace the Joint Venture. The name of the Board will be announced in early 2022. Minister Davidson said:
“The Executive Board uses the same accountability mechanisms that exist between a chief executive and a Minister, but enables joint responsibility for collective work. This means that chief executive board members have joint responsibility for the operation of the board. It helps strengthen the collective commitment of chief executives to priorities that span multiple agencies’ responsibilities.
“The Board will be focused on aligning strategy, policy, and budgeting functions across relevant agencies. This will enable Ministers to receive whole-of-government advice to support decision-making that takes a system-wide perspective towards the vision of ending family violence and sexual violence.
Update: The Sustaining a collaborative approach to support the whole-of-government response to eliminate family violence and sexual violence Cabinet Paper and Minute related to the executive board and tangata whenua advisory group have been proactively released.
The Joint Venture was established in 2018. In June 2021, the Auditor-General published a report calling for "significant improvements" in the operation and function of the Joint Venture. The December 2021 e-Update from the Joint Venture announced that Fiona Ross is departing from her role as Joint Venture Director, and that Emma Powell, ACC representative on the Joint Venture Deputy Chief Executives’ group, will take over as Interim Director from 13 December.
Minister Davidson also announced a new advisory group when launching Te Aorerekura saying:
"Today, we are also announcing that Cabinet has agreed to establish a Tangata Whenua Advisory Group to provide independent advice and guidance to me as Minister on family violence and sexual violence. This governance input is a crucial improvement to the system and will ensure that te ao Māori informs our implementation of the Strategy."
See the Joint Venture website for more information about the Māori-Crown partnership.
Response from advocates to Te Aorerekura
Women's Refuge welcomed Te Aorerekura saying:
"Te Aorerekura, rooted deeply and deliberately in Te Ao Māori, brings together the knowledge, expertise, and experience of both those living with the everyday realities of violence in their lives and those of us working to support them. It has been constructed from a long and exhaustive consultation and negotiation process, bringing together a multitude of voices to reach a common understanding and build a shared vision of a way forward.
Women’s Refuge is cautiously excited at this long-awaited launch. Dr Ang Jury, Chief Executive of the National Collective of Women’s Refuges notes that 'this is just the beginning. Now that the talking is done, the real work must begin. Now is the time when we need to see real sustained commitment to bringing the actions outlined in Te Aorerekura to life.' "
RNZ interviewed Dr Ang Jury about the Strategy.
Te Ōhaakii ā Hine-National Network Ending Sexual Violence Together (TOAH-NNEST) welcomed the Strategy saying:
"This action plan is a crucial step towards creating greater collaboration amongst Government Agencies and we hope this will ensure that collectively we can create systems of support that are safe, centre the people who need help, hold people accountable for their behaviour, and ensure sustainable change over time."
The Disability Rights and Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioners have also welcomed Te Aorerekura. Disability Rights Commissioner Paula Tesoriero said:
"We can only achieve better outcomes through collective action. Until this strategy, we have not explicitly acknowledged how our power structures have overlooked the impacts of family and sexual violence on tāngata whaikaha Māori and disabled people.
"Nor have we addressed how prevailing attitudes have kept disabled people silenced about the violence and abuse they experience for too long. A lack of workforce knowledge has also meant inadequate responses when people do speak up."
Saunoamaali’i Karanina Sumeo, Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner said:
“It’s heartening to hear that the Government will embark on a new approach that is victim-centred, ensuring continued inclusive and accessible services focused both on prevention and appropriate responses to support survivors and families at risk of violence.
“It has taken us far too long to get here. I’m hopeful the intention and investment will begin protecting, healing, and restoring the lives of children and women victimised by family violence, particularly for our wahine Māori, Pacific and ethnic women.
“I would like to see ongoing resourcing and adequate support for survivors as well as perpetrators of family violence to seek the help and rehabilitation, so we can continue to create peaceful homes and safer communities.”
Other organisations have welcomed and responded to the launch of Te Aorerekura including: Te Kupenga Whakaoti Mahi Patunga | National Network of Family Violence Services, Social Service Providers Aotearoa and Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu. See further responses from advocates in the related media below.
Related news
In the weeks before the launch, Minister Davidson announced funding of new national-level family violence and sexual violence prevention initiatives for LGBTQIA+ people, people with disabilities, older people and new migrant communities. As part of the $2 million commitment from Budget 2019 to understand violence prevention needs and develop violence prevention initiatives in specific communities, the new initiatives include:
- "$399,000 for LGBTQIA+ centred violence prevention initiatives, including the development of practice guidelines, healthy relationships and consent resources, and an awareness raising campaign
- $350,000 to mobilise disabled communities to begin the process of addressing systemic barriers faced by tāngata whaikaha, deaf and other disabled people, implement the Safeguarding Framework and grow and strengthen the Safeguarding Adults From Abuse (SAFA) response in the Waitematā to safeguard adults at risk
- $242,000 for new violence prevention initiatives for ethnic communities, including the expansion of the Shama community development programme to six new locations and the expansion of Let’s Talk, plus the development of community conversations and healthy relationship resources
- $200,000 to support the violence prevention needs of older people.
- $250,000 to build relationships and capacity for diverse communities to engage with Joint Venture agencies
- $137,500 for Community Advisory Groups established by Massey University Center for Culture-Centered Approach to Research and Evaluation (CARE) to develop localised violence prevention initiatives and frameworks in five locations."
To support this work, the Joint Venture commissioned Massey University Center for Culture-Centered Approach to Research and Evaluation (CARE) to research the specific violence prevention needs of diverse communities. From this research, Massey CARE published the report Community-led culture-centered prevention of family violence and sexual violence (2021). See the Massey CARE project webpage for more information including an executive summary and interim report.
Disability Rights Commissioner Paula Tesoriero announced two new reports from the Human Rights Commission exploring people with disabilities experiences of violence and abuse.
The reports, Whakamanahia Te Tiriti, Whakahaumarutia te Tangata (Honour the Treaty, Protect the Person) and Whakamahia te Tūkino kore Ināianei, ā Muri Ake Nei (Acting Now for a Violence and Abuse Free Future), outline the evidence on the causes and impacts of violence including racism and colonisation, and abuse against tāngata whaikaha Māori and disabled people. The reports outline gaps in systems, knowledge and services, and set out a roadmap for systemic change. Together the reports make 20 recommendations.
In launching the reports, Disability Rights Commissioner Paula Tesoriero said "These reports provide, for the first time, an evidence base and graphic illustration of the violence and abuse suffered by tāngata whaikaha Māori and disabled people. They show a continued absence of effective responses to reduce its incidence."
And she went on to say :
"In Aotearoa, racism and ableism intersect to create unique additional risks for tāngata whaikaha Māori who must navigate racism, discrimination and other biases."
"This has resulted in the suppression of rangatiratanga along with the many disabling effects on the ability of tāngata whaikaha Māori to define themselves and their own lives"
Minister Davidson responded to the reports saying:
"Disabled people have highlighted to me the lack of specialist family violence and sexual violence services and supports, the lack of a nationally consistent and mandated safeguarding approach, and the need for more data and research to make visible their experiences.
They emphasised that disabled people need to be at the decision making tables.
We also need to address the intergenerational impacts of colonisation and racism in order for us to eliminate violence."
Submissions open on Oranga Tamariki oversight legislation
The Social Services and Community Committee is calling for submissions on legislation proposing changes to the monitoring and oversight of Oranga Tamariki, including changes to the Office of the Children's Commissioner.
The closing date for submissions is 26 January 2022.
The Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System and Children and Young People's Commission Bill is an omnibus bill which proposes to amend a number of Acts. The media release (17 November 2021) from the Social Services and Community Committee states:
"The bill would establish the office of the Independent Monitor of the Oranga Tamariki System. The objectives of the Monitor would be to carry out objective, impartial, and evidence-based monitoring, and provide advice. The bill would also strengthen the complaints oversight function of the Ombudsman. It would do this by ensuring that the Ombudsman’s investigations about the Oranga Tamariki system have a focus on improving outcomes for children, supports agencies in the Oranga Tamariki system to resolve complaints, and give practical effect to te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi).
The bill proposes to replace the Children’s Commissioner with the Children and Young People’s Commission. The commission would be an independent Crown entity and be able to hold the Government to account on matters relating to children and young people. The bill proposes to carry over most of the current powers of the Children’s Commissioner to the commission. However, the commissioner’s current powers to investigate decisions about individual children would not be carried over. This is because the Ombudsman already conducts a similar investigatory function and would continue to do so."
For more information see the bills digest for background leading to the legislation and overview of the key parts of the proposed legislation and the December 2021 media release calling for submissions. When introducing the bill, Children's Minister Kelvin Davis said "Along with a Ministerial Advisory Board that will monitor that progress, these changes will ensure there is strong oversight of the wellbeing of children and whanau during that transformation."
Children’s Commissioner Judge Frances Eivers said the legislation is "a huge opportunity to improve outcomes for all tamariki mokopuna." She highlighted a number of proposed changes in the bill which "...establishes a more comprehensive and greater-resourced monitor of the Oranga Tamariki System, to inherit and expand on the system monitoring currently undertaken by the OCC." She also noted that the Office of the Children's Commissioner will be advocating for strengthened independence for the new Oranga Tamariki System Monitor and for the Monitor to reflect a Te Tiriti partnership model.
The Green Party has said they will not support the legislation with spokesperson for Children and member of Te Mātāwaka Jan Logie saying: “Turning the Office of the Children’s Commissioner into a Children and Young People’s Commission should go hand in hand with giving it powers and resourcing for monitoring, alongside advocacy work. Taking some of the functions away from the Commissioner is a backwards step." Waatea News interviewed Dr Elizabeth Kerekere about the Green Party's concerns about the legislation.
In June 2021, the government announced that the Independent Children’s Monitor (Te Mana Whakamaru Tamariki Motuhake) would become its own departmental agency within government and be hosted by the Education Review Office. It will be led by its own Chief Executive who will be a Statutory Officer. Outgoing Children's Commissioner Judge Becroft has questioned this approach and VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai has also criticised the decision.
Update: VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai has published an overview of the bill and guide to making a submission. Many advocacy groups have raised concerns about the proposed changes. See related media below for more information.
Update: The bill was divided by committee of the whole House into two separate bills: the Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System Bill and the Children and Young People’s Commission Bill. Both bills have passed Parliament and received Royal Assent in August 2022.
New bill would repeal Oranga Tamariki subsequent child removal provision
Children's Minister Kelvin Davis introduced legislation to partially repeal the subsequent child provision. The Oranga Tamariki Amendment Bill would amend the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 by partially repealing the subsequent-child provisions. When announcing the bill, Minister Davis said "While issues have been identified with the provisions in relation to parents who have previously had a child permanently removed from their care, those issues do not arise in relation to a parent who has a conviction for the death of a child in their care. For that reason, the retention of provisions in such serious situations will remain."
For more information see the full bill. It is expected the bill would be passed and come into effect in 2022. It has not yet been referred to select committee.
New report documents impacts on Māori from system racism and colonisation
A new independent research report states that "It is clear from research analysis that the settler state and its care systems have been deliberate in intention and design in dismantling whānau Māori networks that were crucial for health and wellbeing." The authors further note:
"The over-representation of tamariki Māori and vulnerable adults in the settler State Care system cannot be separated from the socio-political and historical contexts of Aotearoa, and the deliberate dismantling of whānau Māori. The violent and enduring impacts of colonisation has significantly reduced whānau capacity and capability to care for their own."
The Crown Response to the Abuse in Care Inquiry website states the 480-page report, "...is believed to be the most comprehensive research ever done on Māori historical experience of State care, drawing together a vast range of data from State organisations and interviewing people closely involved in the care system during 1950-99."
The research and report, Haha-uri, haha-tea: Māori Involvement in State Care 1950–1999 (2021), was completed by Ihi Research and was co-researched and written with Māori researchers who are survivors of State Care. The research was commissioned by the Crown Response to the Abuse in Care Inquiry. Also see a summary overview of the research.
Te Ao Māori news interviewed some of the researchers including Paora Crawford Moyle and Dr Annabel Ahuriri-Driscoll. For more information see the research overview from Ihi Research and a video from the Crown Response to the Abuse in Care Inquiry.
Related news
The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry delivered its interim report, He Purapura Ora, he Māra Tipu – From Redress to Puretumu, to the Governor-General, Honourable Dame Cindy Kiro. The media release notes that the report "...makes findings and recommendations on how the Government and faith-based institutions can address the harm suffered by children, young people and vulnerable adults in the care of State and faith-based institutions." It is expected that the report will be tabled in the House in mid-December, and after that, made public.
Related media
PM won't commit to recommendation to legally protect children from abuse in care, Stuff, 04.03.2022
Child abuse bill flawed, Waatea News, 01.03.2022
Former staff critical of Oranga Tamariki bill, Stuff, 26.02.2022
Oranga Tamariki changes ‘deliberately preempt’ Royal Commission, Newsroom, 24.02.2022
Ministers differ on changes to Oranga Tamariki bill, Te Ao Māori News, 24.02.2022
Oranga Tamariki Oversight Bill under fire: 'They want a lapdog, not a watchdog', Stuff, 19.02.2022
Oranga Tamariki watchdog reforms ‘may perpetuate harm, dysfunction’, Newsroom, 17.02.2022
Demand for Children's Commissioner to be retained amid Government reforms, Stuff, 17.02.2022
Oranga Tamariki grapples with structural racism to turn the tide, Newsroom, 14.02.2022
An advocacy job too well done, RNZ, 08.02.2022
Monitoring committee no substitute for Children’s Commissioner, Waatea News, 27.01.2022
Push to ‘save’ Children’s Commissioner from govt reforms, Newsroom, 24.01.2022
Advocacy group urges Government to slow down on new OT laws, RNZ, 19.01.2022
OT: Expert warns against stripping Children's Commissioner role, RNZ, 19.01.2022
Are we ready to scrap the role of Children’s Commissioner?, The Spinoff, 19.01.2022
Calls to retain Children’s Commissioner, Waatea News, 06.01.2022
Revealed: Violence in Oranga Tamariki care and protection residences increasing, Newshub, 10.12.2021
Judge calls for quick response to abuse remedies, Waatea News, 02.12.2021
Govt finally moves to repeal ‘subsequent child’ uplifts, Newsroom, 26.11.2021
Neville Baker: The answers were there in 1988, E-Tangata, 23.06.2019
Following a national recruitment process, we are very pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Terry Dobbs as our Academic Director - Māori, and Professor Nicola Gavey as our Academic Director - Tauiwi.
We are also pleased to announce that Associate Professor Janet Fanslow, previous Co-Director for the NZFVC, will be taking on a new role with us as Chief Advisor.
Terry Dobbs
Dr. Terry Dobbs (Ngāpuhi; Te Rarawa) has many years of experience working in the field of whānau violence prevention and intervention (both within practice and research) and in developing strategies for Māori using cultural frameworks and practices. Terry is a registered social worker and has worked in academic, statutory, community and iwi settings. She has led several research projects involving children and young people and their whānau and has published on Indigenous approaches to well-being (oranga), practice frameworks for mokopuna and whānau well-being, Indigenous research methods, Te Ao Māori approaches to evaluation, Māori-centred social work practice, youth suicide prevention and whānau violence prevention. Her recent research explores reclaiming and applying Te Ao Māori principles to inform and support taitamariki Māori intimate partner relationship well-being.
Nicola Gavey
Nicola Gavey is a professor in the School of Psychology at the University of Auckland and has conducted research related to domestic violence and sexual violence prevention since the mid-1980s. She has managed several major research grants and has published and spoken extensively on sexual violence and related issues. Her current research includes a critical analysis of the way consent operates in sexual violence prevention discourse, a study of the normalisation of “rough sex” and its relationship to sexual violence, and a study on image-based sexual abuse. Nicola and colleagues have recently developed a new model for working with boys and young men that is directly relevant to sexual violence prevention.
Statement from the new Directors
Mā whero, mā pango ka oti ai te mahi
"The Whakatauki above speaks directly to the need for collaboration. Traditionally ‘whero’ signifies chiefs/leaders and ‘pango’ the community/workers. It acknowledges the need for both to work together in order to complete the work. We wish to acknowledge the extensive mahi that the Family Violence Clearinghouse has already achieved and look forward to working in partnership (mahi tahi) with our Advisory Groups and the wider community to place te Tiriti o Waitangi at the centre of what we do.
Our core function at the NZFVC is to provide equitable access to good quality research and information that can help to inform policy and practice in Aotearoa. This includes drawing on both Western and Māori knowledge systems as well as practice informed evidence. How these systems of knowledge can inform our understanding of violence prevention will be a key focus for the NZFVC as we move forwards."
New Advisory Groups
We are also pleased to announce members to our two new Advisory Groups.
Māori Advisory Group
- Professor Denise Wilson (Ngāti Tahinga), Auckland University of Technology
- Professor Tracey McIntosh (Ngai Tūhoe), University of Auckland
- Helen Pearse-Otene (Ngāpuhi; Ngāti Rongomaiwahine-Kahungunu; Ngāti Ruanui), Independent
- Kerri Donoghue-Cox (Ngāti Mutunga), Ministry of Social Development
- Dr Michael Roguski (Te Āti Awa; Ngāti Tūwharetoa), Kaitiaki Research
- Rolinda Karapu (Ngāti Pukeko; Ngāti Awa; Ngai Tūhoe; Ngai Tai ki Torere; Ngāti Porou), Te Rau Ora
- Stacey Porter (Ngai Takoto; Ngāti Kahu; Ngāpuhi; Rongowhakaata; Ngāti Maru), Whāraurau
Tauiwi Advisory Group
- Dr Pauline Gulliver, NZ Family Violence Death Review Committee (HQSC)
- Sandra Dickson, Hohou Te Rongo Kahukura - Outing Violence; Shama Ethnic Women's Centre
- Sheryl Hann, Joint Venture Business Unit
- Dr Rob Thomson, University of Otago
- Dr Melanie Beres, University of Otago
- Paulette Benton-Greig, Auckland University of Technology
- Dr Debbie Hager, University of Auckland
- Professor Jennifer Curtin, University of Auckland
- Dr Lucy Langston, Ministry of Social Development
- Juanita Rojas, Shama Ethnic Women's Centre; University of Auckland
Update: The Crimes (Child Exploitation Offences) Amendment Bill received Royal Assent on 12 April 2023. The Crimes (Child Exploitation Offences) Amendment Act 2023 comes into force the day after receiving Royal Assent.
The Crimes (Child Exploitation Offences) Amendment Bill is a member's bill from Labour MP Ginny Andersen that was pulled from the Parliamentary ballot in August 2021. The purpose of the bill is to protect children at risk of harm from online exploitation committed by people 18 years and older.
The closing date for submissions is 10 December 2021.
The bill would amend the Crimes Act 1961 to make it an offence for a person over 18 to use online communications to falsely represent their age or identity with the intention to meet with someone under 16. The bill would also make it an offence for someone over 18 to use online communications to plan to cause harm to a person under 16.
The bill also proposes to increase the maximum penalty for a person convicted of sexual grooming of a young person from 7 to 10 years’ imprisonment.
At the first reading in Parliament, MP Ginny Andersen provided background to the legislation noting (see the Hansard Transcript):
"This bill is designed to help to ensure that our justice system can respond appropriately to protect our young people from those who engage in acts online to harm people, and to harm young people in particular. It is based upon similar legislation that has been passed in Australia, and the law in Australia was known as Carly's Law. It was named after Carly as the result of the efforts of her mum, whose name is Sonya Ryan, an Adelaide mother who campaigned for over a decade. That was after her 15-year-old daughter was murdered after an online predator posed as a teenage boy."
During the first reading MP Jan Logie said:
"But this is a really important conversation. It's about the safety of our children at the heart of it. I'm very pleased that this Parliament is getting to spend time on that conversation. We know that Governments have previously been pretty slow to respond to digital harm in particular, including online identity theft, revenge porn, online hate speech, racism, or extremism. We're slow to catch up. The legislation feels as if there are many moving parts, in terms of protections. So this piece of legislation is discrete, it is fixing a small part of it, and I look forward to the conversation in the select committee looking at how that fits in the whole picture and exploring the detail of it."
She also noted:
"The current law criminalises grooming at the point where an offender arranges to meet a child with the intention of having sexual activity, whether or not the intended abuse occurs. This bill will update these offences to cover digital harm and grooming at the point where the offender arranges or meets up with the young person following online communications."
She also raised questions about the increased penalties and how these fit with early intervention and rehabilitation.
You can find research and information to support submissions in our library under our Quick Search Topic Technology and Abuse.
Also see the report Ending Online Sexual Exploitation And Abuse Of Women And Girls: A Call For International Standards (2021) from Equality Now, an international human rights organisation.
Related news
The Justice Committee has submitted their final report on the Harmful Digital Communications (Unauthorised Posting of Intimate Visual Recording) Amendment Bill. The Committee recommending the bill be passed with amendments.
The Australian government has launched their first National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse 2021 - 2030. The Strategy is an initiative of the Australian, state and territory governments, and includes child sexual abuse in all settings, including within families, online and within organisations.
Related media
Playing catch-up to protect kids from digital harm, RNZ, 29.05.2022
Sharing intimate content without permission has 'serious consequences' - Netsafe, RNZ, 30.11.2021
Woman’s photo posted to porn site but only perpetrator gets access to counselling, RNZ, 29.11.2021
Chewing on bills: committees enjoy gristle, RNZ, 12.11.2021
Keep it Real Online – Phase 2, Beehive media release, 31.08.2021
Netsafe prepares for an influx of online harm incidents, Netsafe media release, 27.08.2021
The rise of cybercrime and NZ's fragmented response, RNZ, 15.06.2021
Govt acts to protect NZers from harmful content, Beehive media release, 10.06.2021
The White Ribbon NZ campaign this year is Whiti te rama - Shine a light on what works in violence prevention in our communities. The campaign is focused on highlighting stories of change to inspire people who are currently experiencing violence. White Ribbon is asking people who have used violence and people who have experienced violence to share their stories of coping, getting support, and the tools that helped with change.
White Ribbon NZ has also launched a new video and new toolbox on call-in culture. The campaign notes that:
“Effective prevention moves beyond simply stopping violence into promoting alternative healthy behaviours. We must encourage boys and men to recruit and educate other boys and men in ways that lift each other up. An effective way to do this is by ‘inviting’ men, rather than indicting them. This means not only modelling positive behaviour in front of each other, but also understanding that other men might be at a different part of their journey and still working it out for themselves.”
According to White Ribbon Ambassador David Cournane:
“Once upon a time if you were coaching a team you would have highlighted mistakes and used shame to call out unwanted behaviours. While we still have to correct errors, there is now much more of a focus on finding those moments where the players are doing something well, and using these as key learning moments. With a focus upon growing from our strengths and our successes, we are more likely to engage those around us.
I know that being empathetic, and understanding the drivers behind someone’s behaviour, and speaking to those issues, is far more effective than just simply calling someone out. If you want people to change, you’ve got to give them a reason to change, and that requires being empathetic and kind,”
The campaign also seeks to shine a light on pre-colonial attitudes to women and children and the ways in which colonisation has led to limited understandings of possible masculinities. The campaign notes that:
“Historical records suggest that the possibilities for Māori tāne were much broader before the importation of European models of masculinity. These records suggest Māori men were looked down upon by Pākehā for lacking appropriately stoic ‘masculine’ behaviours, and were instead talkative and animated, partook in the same work as women, and readily expressed their emotions. The fact that colonisation has led to limited understandings of possible masculinities, and has justified and excused abuse at the hands of men suggests that unpacking assumptions about colonial masculinity can help Aotearoa reset our attitudes and behaviours by building on traditional Māori values.”
White Ribbon has also teamed up this year with Hohou te Rongo Kahukura – Outing Violence and Rainbow Hub Waikato to develop a new Toolbox for parents with kids who break gender rules. The Toolbox – Kids and Gender – will be launched at a webinar on 29 November. Also see our calendar for educational webinars and events happening around the country.
Update: The Kids and Gender Toolbox has been launched.
See more information about this year's White Ribbon campaign. Find local White Ribbon events or list your event.
See the news stories below for resources from previous White Ribbon campaigns.
Economic Abuse/Harm Awareness Day
Good Shepherd NZ is raising awareness about economic abuse in recognise of Economic Harm Awareness Day, the 26 November with resources and a webinar. The Canadian Centre for Women’s Empowerment launched Economic Abuse Awareness Day in Canada in 2019 to increase awareness of economic abuse. This is the first time the day is being recognised in Aotearoa New Zealand.
For recent research about economic abuse watch the webinar from Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) on Understanding economic and financial abuse. The webinar draws on a series of research reports from the University of New South Wales’s Gendered Violence Research Network on financial abuse.
16 days of activism against gender-based violence
The international 16 days of activism against gender-based violence runs from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) until 10 December (Human Rights Day) each year. The 2021 UNiTE Campaign’s global advocacy theme this year is: "Orange the World: End violence against women now!" For more information and actions you can take, see this year’s concept note.
It has been 30 years since the global 16 days of activism campaign launched to raise awareness about violence against women. To acknowledge the continued need to urgently address femicide, the Global 16 Days Campaign has published the 2021 Femicide Advocacy Guide. The guide discusses the prevalence of femicide and the international norms and standards that could be used to address femicide.
In a Statement to the UN General Assembly, the new Special Rapporteur On Violence Against Women, Its Causes And Consequences, Reem Alsalem acknowledged the report Taking stock of the femicide watch initiative (2021). The report was completed by outgoing Special Rapporteur, Ms. Dubravka Simonovic. It highlights research on femicide and evidence-based policy and legislative responses, as well as international differences in data collection and femicide definitions.
In the same Statement, Special Rapporteur Reem Alsalem outlined her thematic priorities for the next three years, including:
- violence against indigenous women and girls
- gender-based violence in the context of disaster risk reduction and response related to climate change
- psychological violence against women
- the relationship between the condition of statelessness, gender, and gender-based violence
- the intersection between gender-based violence against women, sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.
Related news
Manatū Wāhine |Ministry for Women is developing the Women's Employment Action Plan. The plan will identify actions to improve the employment outcomes for women in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Ministry media release notes "When completed, the action plan will bring together current work across government and identify possible new areas for action that may emerge through engagement, to support women’s employment." The Ministry is asking for feedback on two questions:
- "What do you think are the barriers to women’s employment?"
- "What actions do you think should be included in the Women’s Employment Action Plan?"
Send your feedback by email to mahi@women.govt.nz and reference 'Feedback on Women's Employment Action Plan'.
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His debt in her name: Economic harm in which lenders are complicit, Stuff, 26.11.2021
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PSĀ Wāhine Call For An End To Violence And Harassment, Press Release: PSA, Scoop, 25.11.2021
Breaking the cycle of violence: The numbers behind 'a hidden pandemic', Stuff, 25.11.2021
On International Day, UN chief says ‘violence against women is not inevitable’, UN News, 24.11.2021
White Ribbon advocating conversations with mates, RNZ, 23.11.2021
White Ribbon Day chance for reset, Waatea News, 23.11.2021
Shine A Light On Stories Of Change, Press Release: White Ribbon, Scoop, 15.11.2021
Motivation to change: A basketball coach's mission to support Pasifika dads, Stuff, 17.10.2021
New reports, government strategy and consultation on prison
The Department of Corrections has announced a new women's strategy. The strategy was launched alongside the public release of three reports from the independent Corrections Inspectorate focused on women in prisons. The NZ Human Rights Commission has also published a new report on women in segregated housing in prisons across Aotearoa New Zealand. Lastly, Justice Sector agencies are inviting feedback on a Long-Term Insights Briefing on imprisonment.
New women's strategy for Corrections
The Department of Corrections launched Wāhine - E rere ana ki te pae hou (2021), the organisation’s new women’s strategy for 2021-2025. In the overview of the strategy it states "This strategy aims to reduce reoffending through gender and culturally responsive programmes and services that provide holistic support. It will also achieve this by ensuring our workforce, at all levels, works in ways that respond to the unique needs of women." The media release notes that the strategy was developed in consultation with wāhine Māori, including women with lived experience of the justice system, whānau, service providers, staff and a range of agencies and iwi organisations.
In announcing the Strategy, Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis said "The current prison system is male-focused, a one-size-fits-all approach.” He went on to say "Many women in prison have had extremely complex pasts, often being the victims of violence and abuse themselves. We need to make sure we are giving them the best opportunity to rehabilitate their lives while keeping the community safe."
Reports on women in prison
At the same time, three reports have been released by the independent Corrections Inspectorate. The reports were prompted by a complaint in February 2020, from a lawyer representing three women at Auckland Region Women’s Corrections Facility. As the investigation got underway the Inspectorate broadened the focus to all three women's prisons and a thematic inspection of the lived experiences of women in prisons.
The single over-arching recommendation by the Chief Inspector of Corrections in the Thematic Report: The Lived Experience of Women in Prison (2021) is:
"The Department must review the strategic and operational leadership, resourcing, operating model and service delivery across the women’s prison network (including health services) to enable, and deliver, better outcomes for women, which are critically gender specific, culturally responsive and trauma informed."
The Human Rights Commission (HRC) has published the report, First Do No Harm: Segregation, Restraint and Pepper Spray use in women’s prisons in New Zealand (2021). HRC commissioned Dr Sharon Shalev of the Centre for Criminology at the University of Oxford to write the report. Dr Sharon Shalev, Awatea Mita and Professor Tracey McIntosh spoke during a webinar to launch the report.
Consultation to develop briefing on imprisonment
Justice sector agencies are inviting feedback to help develop a Justice Sector Long-term Insights Briefing on imprisonment. The consultation notes:
"This Briefing is an opportunity to understand more about what shapes the prison population and what drives the outcomes for those who have been imprisoned. This understanding will enable a deeper discussion about imprisonment that will inform future policy options.
The Briefing will build on what we already know about this subject through extensive public consultation and research over several decades."
There are two phases for the consultation. This first phase involves an online survey with 13 questions.
The closing date to give feedback on this phase is 30 November 2021.
A draft briefing will be developed from the feedback from the first phase. In early 2022, there will be a second phase of consultation on the draft briefing. The final Briefing is expected to be presented to Parliament in 2022. The consultation notes the Briefing "...will be available to government and the public as a resource and evidence base to help improve our future prison system."
Long-term Insights Briefings are a new government initiative requiring agencies to develop and share insights on the trends, risks and opportunities that affect or may affect Aotearoa New Zealand. The Public Service Act 2020 introduced this initiative which requires government department chief executives to publish a Long-term Insights Briefing at least once every three years. The Briefings are not government policy.
This is the first Justice Sector Long-Term Insights Briefing. The focus on imprisonment was chosen by the Justice Sector Leadership Board and Ināia Tonu Nei (a name shared by a kaupapa, a hui, a report and a group of kaitiaki with a goal to reform the Justice system). The Justice Sector Leadership Board includes the Secretary for Justice, NZ Police, Department of Corrections, Oranga Tamariki, Serious Fraud Office and Crown Law Office.
Update: The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) has published findings from this first part of the consultation to develop the Justice Sector Long-term Insights Briefing focused on imprisonment in a consultation document. MOJ is inviting further feedback on the consultation document. The closing date to give feedback is 7 October 2022.
More information
For more information about the intersection of women who have been victims of family and/or sexual violence and prisons see the following:
Women’s imprisonment and domestic, family and sexual violence: research synthesis (2020), published by Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety (ANROWS)
Prison as Destiny? Descent or Dissent? (2020) by Tracey McIntosh and Maja Curcic in Neo-Colonial Injustice and the Mass Imprisonment of Indigenous Women
He rau murimuri aroha: wāhine Māori insights into historical trauma and healing (2019), published by Te Atawhai o Te Ao: Independent Māori Institute for Environment & Health
Wāhine Māori: keeping safe in unsafe relationships (2019) by Denise Wilson, Alayne Mikahere-Hall, Juanita Sherwood, Karina Cootes, and Debra Jackson, published by Taupua Waiora Research Centre
Thinking differently in order to see accurately: explaining why we are convicting women we might otherwise be burying (2019) presented by Julia Tolmie
Social entrapment: a realistic understanding of the criminal offending of primary victims of intimate partner violence (2018) by Julia Tolmie, Rachel Smith, Jacqueline Short, Denise Wilson and Julie Sach, published in the New Zealand Law Review
New Zealand prisoners' prior exposure to trauma (2017) by Marianne Bevan, published in Practice: the New Zealand Corrections Journal
Māori and Prison in The Palgrave Handbook of Australian and New Zealand Criminology (2017), by Tracey McIntosh and Kim Workman Crime and Justice
Behind the wire: Māori women and prison (2016) by Tracey McIntosh, presented at the Women's Studies Association of Aotearoa New Zealand (WSANZ) conference
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Prisoner numbers are down: let’s not go back to a ‘lock ’em up’ mindset, The Spinoff, 29.09.2022
Prison’s mother’s unit unused for eight years, Newsroom, 09.05.2022
Lack of support for young female offenders - Youth Court Judge, RNZ, 18.02.2022
Shining a light on future wellbeing, Te Puni Kōkiri news, 18.11.2021
Prison trauma harming communities, Waatea News, 08.11.2021
The inadequacy of prisons for women, Newsroom, 05.11.2021
Oxford criminologist 'outraged' by NZ women’s prisons, RNZ, 04.11.2021
Prison changes reflect women’s roles, Waatea News, 01.10.2021
The Government announced a number of initiatives, including:
- establishing a Ministry for Disabled People (the name of the new ministry has not been determined)
- implementing the Enabling Good Lives approach to Disability Support Services nationally
- introducing new legislation on accessibility
- establishing a new Accessibility Governance Board.
In the announcement, Health Minister Andrew Little said “The disabled community told us that disability issues are not just health issues. We’ve heard and responded to their desire to lift disability support out of the health system, which is why we’re establishing a new Ministry for Disabled People to deliver support for all disabled people.”
The new Ministry for Disabled People will be hosted by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD).
The media release states "The Ministry will:
- Drive better outcomes for all disabled people
- Lead and coordinate cross-government strategic disability policy
- Work to deliver and transform disability support services, and;
- Progress work on the broader transformation of the wider disability system."
In her speech, Minister for Disability Issues Carmel Sepuloni said the new ministry "...has yet to be officially named but for now we will call [it] - The Ministry for Disabled People."
The Enabling Good Lives approach was developed by an independent working group of people with disabilities, their families and whānau, advocates and allies. It was designed to help support transformative change to Disability Support. The model has been trialled with Disability Support Services in Christchurch, the Waikato, and mid-central, which will now be rolled out nationally and according to MSD, the Government "...has an ambition for transition broader than services relating to disability issues."
The Government also plans to introduce The Accessibility for New Zealanders Bill. According to MSD, this legislation "...will include a suite of measures like methodologies for addressing accessibility barriers, monitoring, evaluation and reporting requirements, expectations for engaging with and listening to disabled people, as well as the purpose and principles for the accessibility framework."
When making the announcement Minister Sepuloni said “The disabled community’s voices will be embedded at all levels of decision-making, from the formation and running of the Ministry, to the development of accessibility legislation.”
Alongside the disability system reform and to support the legislation, the Government will establish an independent Accessibility Governance Board. The Board will ensure people with disabilities continue to be involved in decision making at the highest level possible.
Minister Sepuloni's speech outlined next steps saying:
"In the coming weeks, an Establishment Unit for Disability System Transformation will be established to stand up the new Ministry.
They’ll undertake a work programme in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, working through the elements of what the new Ministry will look like, and the ongoing transformation of disability support services.
Over the next few months, targeted engagement and consultation will take place with the disabled community and sector, whānau, Māori, iwi leaders and Pacific.
A key focus will not only be about locking down the detail of these changes but also ensuring that disabled people are not worse off during the transition period.
The Unit will facilitate important conversations on key policy aspects such as the name of the new Ministry and future transformation opportunities once the new Ministry is established.
MSD will also work alongside the disabled community on the name and make-up of the Accessibility Governance Board, and how we can embed Te Tiriti o Waitangi and reflect Te Ao Māori across all elements of accessibility and the system.
Having the offer of support extended to us by National Iwi Leaders Chairs and the Māori Health Authority gives me confidence that we can do this and do this right."
Minister Sepuloni will report back to Cabinet on progress early in 2022.
For more information see:
- Disability System Transformation: establishing a Ministry for Disabled People and national implementation of the Enabling Good Lives approach - Cabinet paper (available in different formats)
- MSD's Work Programmes on Accessibility, the Disability System Transformation and the Lead programme of work (to support leaders to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for people with disabilities)
- the recording of the live steam Announcement on Disability System Transformation and Accessibility from Attitude.
Disability Rights Commissioner Paula Tesoriero welcomed the announcement saying:
"Disabled peoples’ lives will be profoundly affected by the Government’s recent announcement about a new Ministry for Disabled People. I welcome these announcements as a potential platform for positive change. And change is certainly needed to create genuine transformation for disabled people in Aotearoa New Zealand. Transformation will rest on ensuring true partnership with Māori and leadership by disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori."
"It’s pleasing to see an explicit commitment to working closely with the disabled community to establish the Ministry. This is an aspect I will be closely monitoring. This Ministry won’t succeed without disabled peoples’ leadership - and disabled people as employees and decision-makers during the transition and in its on-going development."
See the related media below for responses from disability advocates and organisations.
Related news
A new report proposes a legal framework to make New Zealand accessible and remove barriers that create disabling experiences. The report, Making New Zealand Accessible: A Design for Effective Accessibility Legislation (2021), sets out a legislative framework that includes an Act, a regulator, a tribunal, accessibility standards, and a way to notify the regulator of barriers. The framework is designed to meet New Zealand’s obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
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Ministry for disabled has a big job to do, RNZ, 04.11.2021
New Ministry for Disabled People needs a relevant Māori lens, advocates say, Stuff, 02.11.2021
Vaka Tautua Applauds Disability System Transformation, Vaka Tautua media release, 29.10.2021
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In September 2021, the Government released the report from the Ministerial Advisory Board which was set up to look at the child care and protection system. The report, Hipokingia ki te Kahu Aroha Hipokingia ki te Katoa: initial report of the Oranga Tamariki Ministerial Advisory Board July 2021, is also available in Te Reo Māori. The Cabinet Paper: Direction for Oranga Tamariki August 2021 and a new Oranga Tamariki Future Direction Action Plan (September 2021) were also publicly released.
The members of the Ministerial Advisory Board are Matthew Tukaki (Chair), Kahurangi Rangimārie Naida Glavish, Tā Mark Solomon and Shannon Pakura. In the report they write that "...we see a need to relentlessly focus the direction of Oranga Tamariki onto improving outcomes for tamariki and their whānau, and to enabling those capable of delivering this outcome most effectively to get on with the challenge." They found that the lack of focus for Oranga Tamariki "...has blurred responsibilities in two significant ways:
- first, the Crown has assumed the lead role in supporting tamariki and whānau without really knowing how to be effective in this; and
- secondly, the Crown has undermined the role of communities and particularly of hapū and iwi in leading their own communities."
As a result the report has three overarching recommendations:
- "In order to lead prevention of harm to tamariki and their whānau, collective Māori and community responsibility and authority must be strengthened and restored"
- "In order to work collaboratively with Māori, community organisations and other government agencies, the purpose of Oranga Tamariki must be clarified"
- "A national Oranga Tamariki Governance Board should be established to oversee the diversity and depth of changes needed."
The report includes a table of terms that the Ministerial Board was asked to review and the Board's assessment of whether they could provide assurance that Oranga Tamariki had addressed these terms. The Board concluded on all terms, that either it was a work in progress or an identified gap.
In addition, the report concludes with 25 specific recommendations. Among the detailed recommendations are calls for a programme of community engagement to plan how Māori collectives and community will lead prevention harm and for a national Oranga Tamariki Governance Board by the end of 2022.
Following the recommendations, the Board has also proposed to expand their review to include care residences, the role and function of the National Contact Centre, youth justice outcomes, and to consider the legislative parameters that Oranga Tamariki operates within, as well as the needs of tamariki with disabilities.
When releasing the report, Children’s Minister Kelvin Davis announced that the Government would accept all recommendations from the report saying:
“This report will end uplifts as we have known them. While there will always be a need for some children to be taken into care, this should only happen after all avenues with community and whanau have been exhausted.”
“Community-led prevention is the biggest thing for me from this report – our communities have the answers and Oranga Tamariki needs to work with them to stop children entering into care.”
This brief summary from Oranga Tamariki notes that Oranga Tamariki is tasked with supporting the Ministerial Advisory Board to develop options for a permanent governance board for Oranga Tamariki. It also notes that the Minister for Children will report back to Cabinet in February 2022 on:
- the implementation of the Action Plan
- options for a permanent governance board for Oranga Tamariki
- the development of a workforce strategy
- regional funding and decision-making.
For more information watch the recording of Minister Davis and Ministerial Advisory Board Chair Matthew Tukaki when announcing the report and government response. Also listen to interviews from Waatea News with Minister Davis and Matthew Tukaki.
Many advocates and experts have commented in interviews and articles on the report and response from the Government including VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai, Nicola Atwool, Lady Tureiti Moxon, Jean Te Huia and Social Services Providers Aotearoa. This brief video from Te Karere highlights views from Te Ao Māori leaders including Tupua Urlich (National Care Experienced Lead at VOYCE-Whakarongo Mai), Assistant Māori Commissioner for Children Glenis Philip-Barbara, Te Pāti Māori Co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Annette Sykes. See further commentary in the related media below.
Oranga Tamariki has published three papers that describe the background of Te Toka Tūmoana over the period 2013-2016. Te Toka Tūmoana is Oranga Tamariki's Indigenous and bicultural framework that describes the principles to guide practitioners, managers and leaders through work with tamariki and whānau Māori.
Funding for Ngāi Tahu iwi-led prevention programme
Minister Kelvin Davis announced that Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu (Te Rūnanga) will receive $25.9m of Oranga Tamariki funding over three years to improve outcomes for tamariki and whānau in the Ngāi Tahu takiwā (tribal area). Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu is the entity that represents 18 Papatipu Rūnanga which make up the tribe of Ngāi Tahu. The tribal takiwā, or territory, covers most of Te Waipounamu (the South Island).
The funding will support the new Whānau as First Navigators programme. The programme will support Ngāi Tahu and Ngā Maata Waka health and social service providers to build on their current work supporting whānau. This will focus on finding solutions for whānau before tamariki end up in the care of Oranga Tamariki.
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Kaihautū (CEO) Arihia Bennett said this "...mahi could include, specialist support, respite care, arrangements with extended whānau, or engaging tamariki with sports and cultural experiences.” Te Rūnanga will also look at how to "...influence and support the cultural development of social workers working alongside whānau Māori within the Ngāi Tahu takiwā."
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Kaiwhakahaere Lisa Tumahai said the name Whānau as First Navigators reflects the story of Rākaihautū, the helmsman of the waka Uruao, who made his journey from Te Patu nui o Aio to Aotearoa. She said:
“This name reflects the strength and resilience of whānau to lead their own journey and to make the best decisions for their tamariki. This programme will strengthen and enhance whānau rangatiratanga, while providing whānau access to the services they need, when they need them.”
The announcement is part of renewing the Strategic Partnership Agreement between Ngāi Tahu and Oranga Tamariki, originally signed in 2018. The Beehive media release stated "This will see decision making and resources shifted to communities, a new operating model with better support and training for social workers and an immediate halt to uplifts without proper consultation."
Related news
Social Development and Employment Minister Carmel Sepuloni has appointed Judge Frances Eivers (Ngāti Maniapoto and Waikato) as the new Children’s Commissioner. The Children’s Commissioner is an independent Crown Entity and advocates for the interests, rights and wellbeing of children and young people.
Outgoing Children's Commissioner Judge Becroft reflected on the changes still needed for children and young people in his lecture Five missing pieces in the Youth Justice jigsaw (recording available) and in a series of addresses on the youth justice system, the care and protection system and changes needed to improve child wellbeing. Waatea News interviewed Judge Becroft about his work as the Children's Commissioner. The Gisborne Herald spoke with Glenis Philip-Barbara, Assistant Maori Commissioner for Children, about her work.
In announcing Judge Eivers as the new Commissioner, Minister Sepuloni noted that
“The Office of the Children’s Commissioner is about to undergo significant change, with monitoring activities under the Oranga Tamariki Act transferring to the Independent Children’s Monitor. This will allow the Commissioner to focus entirely on the critical role of advocating for our tamariki and rangatahi."
In June, the government announced that the Independent Children’s Monitor (Te Mana Whakamaru Tamariki Motuhake) would become its own departmental agency within government and be hosted by the Education Review Office. It will be led by its own Chief Executive who will be a Statutory Officer. The September newsletter from the Independent Children's Monitor said "Work on the new legislation that will broaden the scope of the Monitor is in its final stages and we are hopeful that it will be introduced into Parliament by the end of the year." Outgoing Children's Commissioner Judge Becroft has questioned this approach and VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai has also criticised the decision.
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Ngāi Tahu whānau programme given $26m in move to 'shift the system', RNZ, 22.10.2021
Govt funds 'trailblazer' Ngāi Tahu programme to keep Māori kids out of state care, Stuff, 22.10.2021
What our child protection system should be doing, Newsroom, 21.10.2021
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OT places children with assaulting caregiver, Newsroom, 15.10.2021
Lawyer wants psychologist, social worker charged over child removal case, Newsroom, 08.10.2021
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Judge’s block on ‘reverse uplift’ appealed, Newsroom, 07.10.2021
New Oranga Tamariki report a mixed bag, Newsroom, 05.10.2021
Debbie Ngarewa-Packer: 'Minister lacked courage' on Oranga Tamariki, One News, 03.10.2021
Sir Wira Gardiner stepping down as head of troubled Oranga Tamariki, Stuff, 01.10.2021
Judge will face panel inquiry over conduct, Stuff, 30.09.2021
Kahu Aroha Report on Oranga Tamariki, Waatea News, 29.09.2021
‘Self-centred’ Oranga Tamariki must devolve resources to community - report, Newsroom, 29.09.2021
Hope mixed with cynicism in response to Oranga Tamariki ‘generational change’, Newsroom, 29.09.2021
Significant Power Shift Vital For Our Mokopuna, Press Release: Green Party, Scoop, 29.09.2021
Using data from the 2019 New Zealand Family Violence Survey, University of Auckland researchers Ladan Hashemi, Janet Fanslow, Pauline Gulliver and Tracey McIntosh, looked at whether ACEs affected mental health, physical health and disability in adulthood. They found that adverse childhood experiences were associated with a higher risk of reporting poor mental health, chronic physical health conditions or disability in adulthood.
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) include physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, witnessing intimate partner violence, household substance use, household mental illness, parental separation or divorce, and incarcerated household member.
The study found that the more ACEs a person reported, the more likely they were to report negative health outcomes and the less likely they were to report positive health outcomes in adulthood. For example, the prevalence of poor mental health was 47% for people who reported four or more ACEs, compared to 17.3% for people with no ACEs. The prevalence of disability was 30% for people with four or more ACEs, compared to 13.6% for people who reported no ACEs. The prevalence of positive mental health was lower for people who reported four or more ACEs, compared to people with no ACEs (62.1% vs 78.6% respectively).
Even when the researchers took into account socio-demographic factors, ACEs were still strongly associated with negative health outcomes. They noted that these results confirm other international research "...that ACEs are detrimental across all income groups." They go on to say that "Policy and programmes to address child poverty are important in their own right, but will not fully mitigate the effect of ACEs."
The researchers also examined positive childhood experiences, an under-researched area. They found that ACEs negatively impacted health even when people also reported positive childhood experiences. However, they note this area needs further research to explore the type and amount of positive childhood experiences that might mitigate negative impacts from ACEs.
The researchers conclude that the:
"Findings of this study indicate that increased investment in prevention and treatment is needed to mitigate the deleterious effects of ACEs on health. ACEs screening during standard physical and mental health care for adults could help clinicians identify those at risk of physical and mental health problems who may need extra support or trauma-informed services."
They also highlight that children may experience ACEs as a result of structural factors such as child poverty, discrimination, racism and colonisation, writing "...these are underlying issues that also need dismantling."
The article, Exploring the health burden of cumulative and specific adverse childhood experiences in New Zealand: Results from a population-based study, was published in the journal Child Abuse & Neglect.
See our news stories below for other articles based on the 2019 New Zealand Family Violence Survey.
Related news
The Adolescent Health Research Group has published a new brief that explores student feelings of safety and experiences of physical and sexual violence between 2001 and 2019. The Safety and Violence: Youth19 Brief summarises statistics on safety and violence from the Youth19 and previous Youth2000 surveys. It includes findings on violence by adults at home, being hit or physically harmed by others and unwanted sexual experiences, sexual violence or abuse.
Related media
New Zealand belongs on 'international roll of shame' on children's wellbeing, Stuff, 22.10.2021
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