New Zealand's first ever National Strategy to Eliminate Family Violence and Sexual Violence is on track, says Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Marama Davison.

Davidson says the Government is on track to deliver all 40 actions in the first action plan for Te Aorerekura.

'I am proud of the progress we are making to ensure Aotearoa is a place where everyone can live a life free of family violence and sexual violence,” says Davidson.

'Launched only recently, Te Aorerekura is already delivering results. For example, the primary prevention and community-led responses that are so importantly prioritised in Te Aorerekura received a significant boost in this year's Budget.

'We have also launched new family violence workforce capability frameworks for organisations and practitioners, so more people have the knowledge and skills they need to respond appropriately to violence and enable long-term healing.

'Last month I appointed the Tangata Whenua Ministerial Advisory Group, which will provide me with independent advice on best-practice solutions and approaches for working with, and for Māori whānau. We have also formalised a collaborative way of working through Te Puna Aonui – the Joint Venture for the Elimination of Family Violence and Sexual Violence. This joint venture is responsible for aligning whole-of-government strategy, policy and investment.”

Davidson says they still have a lot of work to do, but she is proud of the direction they are heading in.

Further examples of the progress the Government has made implementing Te Aorerekura, include:

• Continued development of integrated community responses, which are aimed at shifting the way government funds and works with communities to ensure responses to violence are whānau- centric and community-led, recognising the best solutions more often come from within communities.
• A shift towards prevention. Budget 2022 invests $37.6m into primary prevention initiatives including E Tū Whānau, Pasefika Proud, and the Campaign for Action on Family Violence as well as supporting the development of new prevention approaches for ethnic communities, older people, and youth.
• Funding of 11 projects to help prevent elder abuse through the Elder Abuse Prevention Fund.
• Significant work engaging with communities to develop an enduring process to involve them in the system changes that affect them, from investment and policy making to service design. This has involved working with around 15 ethnic community organisations, engaging with the Disabled Persons' Assembly, developing approaches to engage with older people through the Office for Seniors, engaging with 17 organisations involved in the Rainbow Violence Prevention Network, identifying ways to improve child and youth participation, and appointing the Tangata Whenua Ministerial Advisory Group.

A copy of Te Aorerekura and its accompanying action plan is available here.