“Ma te huruhuru, ka rere te manu” “With the feathers of knowledge, the bird will fly”

Our vision is for a world in which women and children are free from violence. Our work involves providing the women and children who seek our support with the knowledge and skills to ensure their safety and achieve their potential. We use the principles of healing the whole being – the body (tinana), mind (hinengaro) and spirit (wairua) and of
  • Whakapapa: Relationships built on kinship and reciprocity.
  • Tikanga: Practising with integrity.
  • Wairua: Honouring diversity.
  • Tapu: Promoting self-understanding and development.
  • Mauri: Maintenance of the individual identity and values within a collective.
  • Mana: Inspirational leadership.
At Te Rau Āwhina we treat all women, children and their families/whānau in a respectful, confidential, sensitive and non-judgemental manner. Four cornerstones underpin our values:
  • Parallel development: Ensuring the needs of Māori are met in ways that best suit Māori.
  • Collectivism: To ensure consensus decision-making, and in recognition that the actions of one refuge reflects on the refuge movement as a whole.
  • Feminism: Celebrating women’s contribution to society.
  • Takatāpui: To eliminate discrimination of any kind against women.