This essay written by Tania Rei was first published in Women Together: a History of Women's Organisations in New Zealand in 1993. Published online in 2018, to be updated.

Te Kākano arose out of the Rape Crisis organisation. In March 1985, a hui was held by women from Rape Crisis centred to discuss the existing arrangements for government funding to groups working against sexual abuse. The hui was facilitated by members of the National Collective of Independent Women's Refuges. Māori women attending proposed that a portion of the government funding for rape and sexual abuse preventive work be tagged for Māori purposes. The proposal was put before Ann Hercus, Minister of Social Welfare. Though it was not accepted in its totality, the Minister supported the concept of Māori self-determination (tino rangatiratanga) being expressed in this area of social work. (From the essay). This essay outlines the history of Te Kākano o te Whānau from 1986 - mid 1990s. To be updated.

About the 2018 update of Women together: To mark the 125th anniversary of women’s suffrage in 2018, New Zealand History prepared an online version of Women Together: A History of Women’s Organisations in New Zealand / Ngā Rōpū Wāhine o te Motu.

This important reference work was published in 1993 to mark the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage. For the online edition New Zealand History worked with the original editor, Anne Else, to update both the individual organisation entries and thematic overview essays. Entries on significant new organisations will be added later. Follow the link for more information. See also the NZFVC Timeline.

Record #6304