Our Structure
Established in 1988 as a national body, Te Kupenga - the National Network of Stopping Violence - is a bicultural organisation based on the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Member agencies elect eight representatives to the Partnership Rōpū (governance board) for a two-year term: four tangata whenua (Māori) and four tauiwi (non-Māori) with a balance of gender.
The Partnership Rōpū ensures effective communication between the two sides and is likened to the two walls of a wharenui (meeting house) – each needing the other to ensure that the whare, or house, stands. The kaupapa (mission) forms the foundations and the roof is the overarching vision.
The Māori Executive has responsibility for the development and oversight of the kaupapa Māori services of Te Kupenga which includes member agencies or associated agencies that have Māori kaimahi (workers) while the Tauiwi Executive has responsibility for the tauiwi services of the network.
Te Rōpū Whakatikatika is responsible for overseeing the ethical framework and practice of Te Kupenga which includes managing complaints procedures or addressing any matters of concern regarding the Partnership Rōpū as well as managing a process to resolve difficulties that may arise within or between the Executive Committees.
The national office of Te Kupenga is a team of six based in Wellington who are led by a senior management team of three.
Our Purpose
Values
Te Kupenga is committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi which recognises Māori people as tangata whenua. Therefore, the following mātāpono (values) are paramount to our decision-making processes and practices:
Tikanga: Correct processes – the way we do our work
Tino rangatiratanga: Self-determination and autonomy – the relevant people decide
Mana tangata: Respect – a mana enhancing way in all relationships
Aroha: Working in a supportive and nurturing environment
Tūmanako: Forward focused, proactive and visionary
Pono: Honest, upfront and behaviour with integrity
Koi mahi: Best practice, excellence in practice
Rangimārie: Generosity and goodwill to all people
Values Statement
Te tapu o te whare tangata me te āhua atua o ngā tamariki mō ngā tāngata katoa
The sanctity of women and the divinity of children for all humankind
Vision
All people in Aotearoa / New Zealand living safely and respectfully in a society free of all forms of violence and oppression
Mission
To be leaders in violence prevention through advocacy, research and excellence in practice
Paramount Statement
The safety of women and children is paramount
Aims
- To publicly denounce all forms of violence, in particular men’s violence against women and children
- To promote social and institutional change and education so that all people and families have the ability to reach their full potential and autonomy, unencumbered by violence and oppression in all its forms
- To promote social and institutional change so that tangata whenua has the ability to reach their full potential and autonomy, unencumbered by violence and oppression in all its forms
- To promote and publicly support the safety of survivors of violence and sexual abuse and to give account to, and be in dialogue with, organisations that support survivors of violence
- To publicly promote people to live non-violently and to take responsibility for their violence
- To promote values of non-violence and equality in relationships
- To provide a means by which members can collaborate in the delivery of safe and effective services
- To promote excellence in practice at all levels of the network
- To promote research and policy development which informs best practice and community awareness
Our Role
- A national voice promoting social, political and institutional change to allow women and children to live free of violence and oppression
- Promotion of excellent practice in domestic violence prevention through inter-agency collaboration, member support, networking, promotion of best practice standards, quality assessment and training
- Development of high quality resources such as DVDs, programme manuals and standards of practice manuals which support member agencies to work successfully with clients
- Co-ordination of training and networking opportunities for member agencies such as training hui, annual conference and regional member meetings
- Advocacy and support services via political lobbying, provision of a complaints resolution process, assistance with programme and policy development, and a network of highly skilled and experienced professionals and agencies in the field of domestic violence prevention
- Expertise and experience in working with Māori whānau, hapū and iwi within a framework of honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Our Priorities
STRATEGIC GOAL / Leadership
- We are seen as the leading organisation that people turn to for issues about addressing domestic violence
- We lead on promoting self determination and autonomy for women, tangata whenua and tangata katoa to address domestic violence
- Our services, resources and research lead the agenda for addressing domestic violence
STRATEGIC GOAL / Advocacy
- We have a clearly identified advocacy agenda consistent with our kaupapa
- We have developed key strategic partnerships at all levels that inform and support our solutions for addressing domestic violence
- We see our solutions being implemented
STRATEGIC GOAL / Research
- We undertake and / or support research initiatives that inform effective responses for addressing domestic violence and promoting wellbeing and autonomy
- We undertake and /or support Māori research to inform our response to working with whānau, hapū and iwi
STRATEGIC GOAL / Financial Security
- We endeavour to have the financial stability to ensure the future viability of our organisation
- We have contracts that actively support our organisational viability and goals
STRATEGIC GOAL / Collective Responsibility and Accountability
- We support and encourage collective collaborations with partner organisations
STRATEGIC GOAL / Relationships with Whānau, Hapū and Iwi
- We have built effective relationships with whānau, hapū and iwi
- We have developed responses and resources that effectively support Māori self determination and autonomy
Our Membership
- The national network of Te Kupenga has a workforce of approximately 450 people, many part-time or on contract. About a third of the workforce is Māori.
- Member agencies provide people affected by violence with a range of services, programmes, strategies and initiatives with intervention and prevention approaches. Many agencies lead a number of White Ribbon community events and are active Te Rito violence intervention networks based throughout the country.
- Services include stopping violence programmes for men; support and education programmes for women affected by violence; women and anger programmes; advocacy and support for victims of domestic violence; programmes for children and young people affected by violence; programmes for young people addressing abusive or violent behaviour; and training for organisations and individuals on domestic violence dynamics and prevention.
- Programmes are offered by Te Kupenga member agencies every week and range from 16 to 24 weeks, three hours per week. Work with whānau and communities occur in and around these programmes.
- For tāne (men), these programmes are known as Ara Tāne; Hauora Tāne; Tāne Whakaoho; Rōpū Mātua; Whānau Tautoko; Samoan Living Without Violence Group; Men’s Group; and Pathways to Ending Violence.
- For wāhine (women), these programmes are known as Ara Wāhine; Hauora Wāhine; Pacific Women’s Programme; Te Puna Huakina; Wāhine Whakaoho; E Tū Wāhine Toa; Whānau Tautoko; Women and Anger; Young Mum’s; Rōpū Mātua; Choice and Change; Cross Roads; and Pathway to Peace.
- For rangatahi (youth), these programmes are known as Tuesday Club; Safe Mates; He Taonga He Mokopuna; Samoan Youth Male Programme; Ara Rangatahi; Whānau Tautoko; One Step At A Time; and Youth and Parents.
- Other services provided by Te Kupenga member agencies include alcohol and drug assessment; after group support for men; Police POL 400 monitoring; marae wānanga; School for Alternative Education Truancy; victim court advocacy; disability response and awareness; community-led collaboration with refugee and migrants’ families with local focus; and domestic violence awareness training and resource development.
- Member agencies agree to work by the practice standards of Te Kupenga and offer safe and professional services. These organisations are 'not for profit' community agencies and receive funding from a wide range of government agencies and charitable trusts as well as donations.
Stopping violence services are critical for people seeking help and are the only specialist service available for many people. If you would like to join us in making Aotearoa / New Zealand violence-free, you can contribute a donation or contact Te Kupenga to volunteer your time.
