The Atawhai Network

Atawhai as a Charitable Trust: In June 2023 during Atawhai Workshop Ten, participants agreed to establish Atawhai as a Charitable Trust with an executive board. As a legal entity, Atawhai will be able to seek external funding to support the network and ongoing activities.

Atawhai Future Directions

Founded on a te Tiriti-based partnership, Atawhai is generating an influential network of primary care professionals dedicated to preventing family violence. See the founding members here. This distinctively health-sector-led network connects frontline health care professionals and organisations with information and tools to safely journey with whānau and families in their experience of family violence. Atawhai is a relational response and relies on developing relationships across settings, sharing and learning from one another and translating knowledge between different health care disciplines and contexts.
Members of the Atawhai network gain confidence in knowing what to do and how to help, have access to trusted local referral services and can share challenges with like-minded people. Although not a ‘quick fix’, the Atawhai network is a long-term health care response to family violence that continually evolves in response to need.”

Sue Elliott

Iwi: Te Arawa, Ngati Whakaue, Ngati Pikiao, Ngati Makino, Ngati Raukawa, Tainui
Role: Research Participant whānau member

John Copeland

Iwi: Ngāti Awa, Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Manawa, Mataatua Role: Research Participant whānau member

Glynn Rogers


Iwi: Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa, Rongomaiwahine and Tūhoe
Role: Research Participant whānau member

Vikki Paul

Iwi: Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Tarawhai, Tapuika, Ngāti Pikiao Tuhourangi, Ngāti Raukawa, Te Āti Awa, Ngāi/Kai Tahu
Role: Research Participant whānau member

Matetu Mihinui
Iwi

Role: Research Participant whānau member

Julia Perry

Role: Research Participant whānau member

Enuice Kelly

Role: Research Participant whānau member

Rochelle Broughton

Role: Research Participant whānau member

Ruth Brennan

Role: Research Participant whānau member

Emma Skellern

Role: Research Participant whānau member

Sharing Atawhai

TE PONO. We strongly believe that Atawhai can generate tangible change with primary care providers, whānau and families working together

 

TE TIKA. We create a safe space for discussion that upholds mana, manaaki, safety and compassion for one another.

 

TE AROHANUI. With this arohanui and an unconditional positive regard for others, we can have the confidence, courage – kia maia kia manawanui – to advocate for change.

The Atawhai Kōrero

Atawhai looks to reframe the current way of responding to family violence in primary care. Kōrero about family violence can be many shared moments in time, or wā, within a relationship, underpinned by tika (honesty), pono (truth), and aroha (empathy). Atawhai is realising we do not have to ‘fix the problem’ but be someone whānau can trust to walk alongside supporting opportunities for change. Care is taken so any kōrero is responsive to, and safe for, whānau

Kaitiakitanga and Research Rōpū Atawhai

Our Common Language

Why

The impacts of family violence seriously affect the health and wellbeing of past, current, and future generations. Family violence is complex, there is no simple solution. Sometimes it can be hard to know what to do or how to help.

Atawhai connects primary care providers to local knowledge and resources to prevent violence within the community.

How

The Atawhai Kōrero creates space in a moment in time to be present, to pause and to breathe. We engage with care-seekers authentically and openly, with compassion and respect. Atawhai generates confidence in knowing how to help and trust in local services and people. We share and learn from our experiences to be helpful for those seeking care.

What

Atawhai is a korowai of care that supports the journey of providers, whānau and families. We are part of a team that values and looks after one another in this work. Atawhai is a kete of local information, people and tools that enable us to journey safely with whānau and family. Atawhai is a call to action to support primary care providers in responding to family violence through policy and practice.

Read about the New Zealand health system response to family violence over the last two decades

Learn how to provide women-centred clinical care though the World Health Organisation LIVES approach (Listen, Inquire, Validate, Enhance safety and Support)

Discover primary care family violence training opportunities with MEDSAC

Find out about the New Zealand Ministry of Health Violence Intervention Programme

Read New Zealand guidelines on responding to family violence in health care

Explore the New Zealand Primary Health Care Family Violence Responsiveness Evaluation Tool

What matters to whānau: Interested in contributing to change? To find out more contact our team kiaora@atawhaitia.co.nz