Vine Quick Reads: 14 August 2025

Vine Quick Reads: 14 August 2025

Welcome to our Quick Reads format. Each week we share selected news bites relevant to family violence and sexual violence in Aotearoa.

Oranga Tamariki Military-style academy pilot concludes

Oranga Tamariki (OT) has concluded their 12-month Military-Style Academy pilot with 8 of the original 10 participants completing the programme. The pilot intended to target child and youth offending and aimed to reduce serious, repeat offending by 15%. OT’s related reports, briefings, and preliminary evaluations of the residential and community stages of the pilot can be found here, with the final evaluation forthcoming. See RNZ’s coverage of the conclusion of the pilot.

Workforce Futures Fund open for grant applications

Grant applications for the Tahua Rāngaimahi Anamata | Workforce Futures Fund are now open until Friday 12 September 2025. The $15 million workforce fund will be distributed over 3 years across eight sectors, including social services, youth work, mental health and addiction support, disability support, and aged support. See information on how to apply. Organisations can also discuss their proposals prior to submitting by emailing: admin@workforcefuturesfund.nz.

New research from Women’s Refuge on reframing risk and safety

Ngā Whare Whakaruruhau o Aotearoa | National Collective of Independent Women’s Refuges have published new research: Reframing ‘risk’ and ‘safety’ in the lives of IPV victims in Aotearoa (2025). Part of the Safer When, Safer How? project, the report explores how perpetrators’ violence produces risk, how system responses amplify these, what fosters safety, and how support can bridge ‘risk’ and ‘support’. For a summary of the findings, see Women’s Refuge’s media release.

Registrations open for Matike Tāhono Cohort 2

Inclusive Aotearoa Collective Tāhono have opened registrations for the second cohort of their Matike Tāhono Reading Rōpū. Over 5 online monthly sessions, the cohort will read He whakaaro here whakaumu mō Aotearoa: the report of Matike Mai Aotearoa - the independent working group on constitutional transformation (2016), with discussion points and concepts to consider throughout the process. For those interested, please register your interest before the initial session on Thursday 21 August 2025.

Kei Roto Tō Tātou Rongoā Symposium

The Kei Roto Tō Tātou Rongoā Symposium is a one-day event that brings together whānau, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to reflect on the insights and learnings gathered through the kaupapa Māori research project, Kei roto tō tātou rongoā. The research explored the experiences of whānau Māori affected by violence and the removal of tamariki, recognising that many lacked the resources and support they needed. Attendees will hear how its insights can inform transformative, whakapapa-based responses across systems of care, support, and social policy. Kei roto tō tātou rongoā is funded by the Health Research Council of New Zealand and led by Professor Denise Wilson.

Children and youth online safety, report and online resource

Netsafe and Save the Children have recently released Children and Youth Online Safety in Aotearoa New Zealand (2025), which shares recent survey findings into children’s engagement in the online environment and their views and experiences of online safety. Netsafe have also launched Headspace Invaders, an interactive resource designed to help 12-16-year-olds build resilience, critical thinking, and confidence responding to things that feel wrong or manipulative online.