Recommended reading

Nga Vaka o Kāiga Tapu or The Pacific Conceptual Framework is a cultural framework for addressing family violence in seven Pacific communities in New Zealand. It is informed by, and aligned with, seven ethnic specific cultural frameworks on addressing family violence. A literature review has been produced as a guide for policy writers.

The frameworks define and explain meanings of family, violence, and key concepts and principles that promote family wellbeing for seven ethnic specific Pacific communities. They will inform the development of a training programme to assist ethnic specific practitioners, service providers and non-Pacific practitioners working with Pacific victims and perpetrators and their families affected by family

These frameworks take a strengths-based approach. This begins with the premise that wellbeing, peace and harmony are states that all Pacific people aspire to, and that core aspects of culture are significant in maintaining and restoring wellbeing to families.


The framework is a living document. As new knowledge is introduced to the ethnic specific frameworks, Nga Vaka o Kāiga Tapu will also evolve.

The nine documents that form the Pacific Conceptual Frameworks can be accessed from the website link.

Maiava Carmel Peteru is the main writer of the Pacific Conceptual Frameworks. Marie Schmidt is the MSD Project Manager for the Pacific Conceptual Frameworks project within the Taskforce for Action on Violence within Families.