Note: ISBN: 978-0-478-34513-1 assigned to three different TPK reports, records: #4890 (Haar, 2011), #5566 (Parata, 2011) and #5567 (Roguski, 2009)

The Effective Interventions Initiatives arose from a Cabinet directive that aimed to reduce the cycle of crime amongst Māori and look for ways to slow the growth of the prison population. The present report is an evaluation of the initiative run by Te Whakaruruhau Māori Women‟s Refuge. Te Whakaruruhau was funded for extensive infrastructure developments specifically (1) new staff and (2) delivery of two new programmes. The programmes were developed to provide wāhine with a safe environment, for an extended time period, where they could be re-orientated back into their community, while addressing outcomes from domestic violence.

This evaluation explored the written material on Te Whakaruruhau Māori Women‟s Refuge initiative including programme design and monitoring reports. In addition, interviews were conducted with Te Puni Kōkiri staff who had been working with Te Whakaruruhau to support the implementation of their initiative, as well as management of Te Whakaruruhau Māori Women‟s Refuge. Finally, clientele of the new services were interviewed to gain a first hand account of their experience within the initiative and the positive changes that their participation might have effected. Overall, the findings provided overwhelming support for the new initiative. The clientele spoke of their long-term exposure to domestic violence and how the new initiative was able to teach them, in a safe house environment, the skills necessary to not only recover from their experiences, but to forge ahead and make major changes to their own lives and those of their tamariki. They spoke of the empathy and support they received and how the manner in which the lessons were delivered provided greater clarity and less anxiety when coping with the major changes they were undergoing. One client spoke of her development to the stage where she is now gainfully employed and providing a stable and safe home environment for her tamariki. The other spoke about how her whānau unit has “improved so much” through the services provided.
This evaluation highlighted the importance of the Te Whakaruruhau Māori Women‟s Refuge kaupapa to the successful running of their initiative and highlighted the pressures associated with long-term funding to maintain their ability to break the cycle of violence. In conclusion, this initiative is a success and is a strong candidate for long-term funding. (Executive summary). Record #4890