News from the Joint Venture Te Puna Aonui

We are delighted to share news from the Joint Venture about developments in the violence prevention sector.

The first annual Te Aorerekura hui took place in July and key themes this year included addressing equities, Tangata Whenua leadership, activating the power of communities, working together and strengthening relationships, and working toward a shared pathway.

MSD has significantly improved the online help available for people affected by family violence, including a new website to support behaviour change for users of violence. The online tools are intended to make it easier for people to access help, understand whether their relationship is healthy, and Ruth achieve behaviour change. The redeveloped Are you okay? website now provides 24/7 telephone and online web chat help for victims and survivors of family violence and those supporting them to be safe. They have also added  new tools including a check it out quiz for people who are concerned about their relationship and a service finder  tool which will be used on other websites to make access to services easier. MSD has also launched a new website In Your Hands for people who use violence.

This month new Firearms Prohibition Orders will come into effect from 16 November. The purpose of these court orders is to protect the public from harm by prohibiting ‘high-risk’ offenders from accessing, being around, or using firearms or other restricted with them such as pistols or airguns.

The children’s Flexi fund as a Police – Oranga Tamariki initiative that was launched in December 2020 that has now provided additional support for nearly 1500 children affected by family harm. More information about the fund, including the application form, can be found here.

It’s great to see elements of the Action Plan announced last year are beginning to appear. We hope you will be able to make good use of these new resources.

Te Puna Aonui brings 10 government agencies together to align whole-of-government strategy, policy and investment to eliminate family violence and sexual violence.

* Te Puna Aonui includes:
Ara Poutama Department of Corrections
Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga Ministry of Education
Manatū Hauora Ministry of Health
Te Tāhū or te Ture Ministry of Justice
Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora Ministry of Social Development – Ngā Pirihimana o Aotearoa New Zealand Police
Oranga Tamariki Ministry for Children
Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission
Te Puni Kokiri Ministry of Māori Development
Te Kaporeihana Āwhina Hunga Whare ACC