Anti-Violence Network Applauds Indigenous Best Practice

An anti-violence network is celebrating the publication of two indigenous best practice manuals for the delivery of Māori men’s stopping violence programmes.

The Minister of Māori Affairs, Hon Te Ururoa Flavell, is endorsing the manuals – ‘Kia Rangatira Te Mahi’ and ‘He Tapu Te Tinana’ – at a function hosted by the National Network of Stopping Violence, Te Kupenga, in Wellington today (Wednesday 3 December 2014 from 11.30 am).

The event also acknowledges the nationwide efforts of the Network’s membership in the recent 2014 White Ribbon campaign. The Minister is a White Ribbon Ambassador.

Te Kupenga co-chairs Takurua Tawera (Māori caucus) and Mary Beresford-Jones (Tauiwi caucus) paid tribute to the individuals, groups and organisations who shared their time and aspirations in the overall development of the two manuals.

“Te Kupenga has observed so many committed and passionate people – managers, facilitators, victim advocates and staff – who are all genuinely committed to eliminating violence, abuse and oppression in a range of meaningful and innovative ways.

“We are humbled and privileged to have heard their stories, and to have witnessed their hope and passion for a future without violence and abuse.”

In particular, they acknowledge:
• Family and Community Services – part of the Ministry of Social Development – which funded the development and implementation of this long-term project
• Te Kupenga’s group of expert advisors – Paraire Huata, Rawiri Kiriona, John Snowden, Ariana Simpson, Tania Mataki, Puawai Rudman, Puti Snowden and Roma Balzer – as well as Darrin Haimona who coordinated, compiled and wrote ‘Kia Rangatira Te Mahi’ and Parekotuku Moore who led the project
• Domestic Abuse Intervention Project, home of the ‘Duluth Model’ and publisher of the curriculum package, ‘Creating a Process of Change for Men Who Batter’, on which ‘He Tapu Te Tinana’ is based
• the group of expert advisors as well as paid and volunteer staff from the Hamilton Abuse Intervention Project who have adapted the DAIP material for their men’s stopping violence programmes and upon which ‘He Tapu Te Tinana’ is based.

Takurua Tawera and Mary Beresford-Jones say many providers of Māori men’s stopping violence programmes operate in isolation and struggle with issues of funding, resources and capacity as well as a range of competing priorities and expectations.

While the manuals were originally designed for the membership of Te Kupenga – specifically Māori providers and kaimahi who deliver services to Māori – their usefulness and interest to others has been recognised as the framework and data can be applied to agencies that provide programmes to non-Māori and other ethnic groups.

“The aim of the manuals are to provide standards, rationale, benchmarks and resources from which they are able to monitor and evaluate their performance and – hopefully – improve outcomes.

“Leadership from our national Network will help to establish consistent, safe and effective practices across all of the providers – with a clear vision to ‘uphold the mana and tapu of Māori women to ensure protection and wellbeing of the entire whānau’.”

Takurua Tawera and Mary Beresford-Jones say the publication of the two manuals coincides with the Network’s transformation from an organisation operating from Wellington-based offices to a ‘virtual’ body.

“Te Kupenga is committed to providing the very best services using modern technology.

“Our focus has been on the development of high-speed information systems to provide our membership with the most up-to-date data allowing them to better support whānau and families at risk of violence.

“New technology such as Skype, Zoom, tele-conferencing and video-conferencing enables the Network membership to communicate to city, town and outreach services – within minutes.”

Te Kupenga is a network of 42 independent communitybased organisations – kaupapa Māori and tauiwi (non-Māori) – actively engaged in influencing key areas that they believe will make a difference to the elimination of domestic and family violence in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

For more information about the National Network of Stopping Violence, go to www.nnsvs.org.nz

ENDS

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