Last month, at Ngā Hau e Whā marae, Te Puna Oranga alongside Green Party co-leader and Family Violence and Sexual Violence Prevention Minister Marama Davidson, a new kaupapa Māori website with the ingoa ‘Mauri Oho’ was launched.
In 2014 due to the lack of kaupapa Māori sexual violence prevention resources, Te Puna Oranga alongside whānau created Whakatōkia Te Kākano O te Hā- a resource booklet detailing mahi tūkino (sexual violence) prevention measures.
Two years later, the resource was finally made accessible to all, and is what prompted the making of this online learning platform and website.
Ariana Mataki who was a key figure behind this kaupapa explains it was a privilege to be a part of the rōpu who created it, and says the need was exceptionally high- not only for whānau in Aotearoa but the world.
This initiative contributes to a broader kōrero on mahi tūkino, sexual violence prevention and the importance of recognising the unique cultural aspects of different communities in addressing such issues.
Layla Bailey-McDowell covers this story.