20th October 2025
by Anne Morrison

Loves-Me-Not continues to be offered throughout our secondary schools in Waipā and some of our Waitomo neighbours. As this programme is a very full day for students with some heavy content, we have negotiated with schools to delay the topic 5 area of ‘a call to action’ and have schools work with students 1-2 weeks after the main session. This gives students who are more reflective, some space and time to think about what they might do moving forward. We are also working with Police to include some more content on AI and how this impacts a young person’s life in terms of relationships. This will be used in the programme with St Peters College year 11 students in November.

Following the completion of the I AM ME pilot programme in Cambridge, a full and comprehensive evaluation took place. Many changes were made to the content and delivery to create a better version of itself.  The programme is now being rolled out in the Te Awamutu, Kihikihi and Pirongia communities.  The initial community forum was held to raise the awareness of the issue of family violence, share local statistics, present the evaluation from the pilot and bring the community together to see how we can work collectively in this programme.  Violence Free Waipa is also lucky to be working with a wonderful volunteer, Alison Powell, who has a background in project management, community engagement, facilitation and working within family violence agencies.  Liaison with guest facilitators and the pre-programme interview with potential participants will continue up until Christmas, with the programme starting in February 2026.

Interesting Stuff
While researching family violence information to share with our Te Awamutu, Kihikihi and Pirongia communities, I was blown away by the rates of reported cases of family harm.  In 2023 there were 677 reported cases and in 2024 this rose to 745.  Year to date numbers in 2025 look to be at a similar rate.  This equates to more than two per day, double that of Cambridge.  Remember though, that these are reported cases only.  The New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey released in 2024, suggests that only 24% of interpersonal violence is actually reported to Police. 

New Zealand’s rates of domestic and family violence are among the highest in the OECD.  Maori women are particularly at risk – more likely to be killed by a partner and less likely to seek help.  To quote Emma Powell, a key member of the national Executive Board for the Elimination of Family Violence and Sexual Violence, she believes that “the only way forward is doing things as collectives, and that’s tough, it is hard, hard stuff to do, but it’s really important.”

Hence, this is why I AM ME has been designed to be collaborative, to bring communities together in partnership to support the women that a victim-survivors of family violence in their communities. 

Quotes from women in the pilot programme:

“Throughout the programme, the support and meeting other women gave me a sense of normality.” 

“If I had known what I’ve learned in the last eight weeks, back then, maybe my life would have been different and my kids.” 

“It makes you feel like you’re not alone, you’re not crazy.”