Farewell form Relationships Aotearoa

Today 9 June 2015, Relationships Aotearoa (RA) will close its doors for good.

Established in 1949, RA (then called Marriage Guidance) dealt with the dislocation within couple relationships on the return of servicemen from World War Two.

With a host of volunteers who worked tirelessly to establish a national presence, the organisation provided the only training in couple counselling available in New Zealand for many years.

The service grew and paid counsellors took on and expanded the work volunteers had started.

RA went on to become the country’s largest counselling agency delivering: couple counselling, support for both victims and perpetrators of domestic violence, wraparound therapeutic interventions for individuals, couples and families, and a Maori for Maori whanau service – Whakapakiri Whanau.

“As a country we are deeply indebted to the founders and volunteers of this organisation”, says Jacqui Akuhata-Brown, Chief Executive of RA.

“Without their forethought and vision it is unlikely we would have the expertise we do in supporting couples and healthy relationships,” says Mrs Akuhata-Brown.

“The last few weeks have been exceedingly difficult for staff as we have tried to support clients through an extremely short transition.

“ I am immensely proud of way staff have handled the work needed to contact clients, break the news of our closing and support them in any way they could with the time remaining.

“Our hope is the sector will get behind Stand, Lifeline and the other providers who take on this work.

“All children deserve to grow up in a nurturing and safe environment, “ says Mrs Akuhata-Brown.

“When parents and families have healthy and respectful relationships with each other, children thrive.

“This is the work we hope Relationships Aotearoa will be remembered for.”

ENDS

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