Associate Minister of Social Services and Employment Tariana Turia announced, in Whangarei today, a whanau development initiative, a comprehensive family violence service to address violence within Te Tai Tokerau.

"This is a new and highly innovative service which will provide a comprehensive family violence service, including safe houses, counseling and a 24 hour call centre in the Te Tai Tokerau rohe for whanau in need.

The initiative will receive $1.254m this year and $1m in each of the following two years.

"The Labour Alliance Government is committed to a bottom up approach. I acknowledged the effort this community has made in facing up to the issues, identifying its own priorities and developing its own solutions.

"I believe the strengthening of our whanau is the most critical development issue we are facing today. This initiative is whanau-based and involves resolution activities for the whole whanau alongside individual and whanau counselling.

"A unique feature of this initiative is that it provides for integrated family violence services to whanau, hapu, iwi and Maori under the one roof in Te Tai Tokerau.

"The service is to be provided by Te Hauora o te Tai Tokerau, a Charitable Trust with 15 trustees from eight iwi and seven community organisations. Te Hauora o Te Tai Tokerau is an experienced provider.

"Through addressing the crisis needs of whanau, intervention and prevention strategies as well, it will have a positive long term impact on whanau, hapu and iwi", Tariana Turia said this morning.

Background information

The Whanau Violence Recovery Model

What funding will this model receive?
It will receive $1.254m in this 2000/01 financial year, $1m in 20001/02 and $1m in 2002/03. Total funding is $3.254m over three years. This will be contracted through the Department of Child Youth and Family Services.

What services will this model provide?
 Whanau-hapu education
 Risk assessment of whanau
 Counselling, support and advocacy
 Monitoring and education
 Safe accommodation
 Outreach support
 Workforce development training
 Financial management advice
 Re-parenting skills
 24 hours call centre service
 General support services
 Counselling services to individuals, groups, couples and whanau
 Advocacy services
 Crisis support
 Accommodation

Is this a new approach?
Yes. This model differs from existing services in that it provides services ranging from crisis support for whanau in need, to intervention, to preventative education for whanau and hapu.

Who is this aim at?
This service will be available for whanau living in Te Tai Tokerau.

How is this different to other violence prevention programmes in existence?
The distinguishing feature of this model is that it makes available under one roof, integrated family violence services to whanau, hapu, iwi and Maori.

Te Hauora o Te Tai Tokerau

Who is Te Hauora o Te Tai Tokerau?
It is a regional organisation with an interest in Maori health, welfare, education, employment and housing matters.

It is a Charitable Trust registered in October 1993 with iwi representation and community representation.

Iwi representation:

 Te Runanga o Ngati Kuri/Ngai Takoto
 Te Runanga o Te Aupouri
 Te Runanga o Te Rarawa
 Te Runanga o Ngati Kahu
 Te Runanga o Whaingaroa
 Te Hauauru Takiwa (Ngapuhi)
 Ngatiwai

Community representation:

 Mate Huka o Aotearoa
 Community Health Workers
 Te Hauora o Kaikohe
 Whanau Whanui
 Ringa Atawhai
 Ngati Kau community
 Te Hapua community

What is its purpose?
Its purpose is the provision of information and resources to enable our people to make healthy life choices for whanau, hapu and iwi in Te Tai Tokerau.

What services does it currently provide?
 Family violence prevention programmes
 Provision of youth suicide provention models
 Maori mental health promotion and education
 Health promotion and education
 Employment and education training
 Home support and attendent care services
 Maori nutrition programmes
 Iwi budgeting services

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