Te Huringa ō Te Ao

We work with local providers to support tāne and men to make lasting behaviour change. This creates safer communities where whānau can live free from violence.

Te Huringa ō Te Ao invests in locally-led services for tāne and men ready to take responsibility for violence and make positive change. These services support men to live violence-free.

Guided by whānau voice, services build on the strengths of each community and respond to holistic needs to restore whānau wellbeing.

Providers across New Zealand walk alongside tāne and men to help them:

• heal and reconnect with whānau and community
• build healthy, safe relationships
• take ownership of their behaviour and keep others safe.

Supporting lasting behaviour change

Te Huringa ō Te Ao takes a new approach, moving away from short-term, one-size-fits-all programmes. The goal is better outcomes for tāne, whānau and future generations.

Services are flexible, proactive, whānau-centred and culturally responsive. They keep men accountable for their behaviour, while supporting growth and change.

We work together with local providers to test, learn and improve. This helps us understand what works, and why.

Together, we aim to think differently to break cycles of violence, and to create and sustain intergenerational change.

“Not one size fits all, all men are different. Some talk, some don't.” – Male research participant

A turning point for transformation

The name Te Huringa ō Te Ao was gifted to this kaupapa by E Tū Whānau. Te Huringa ō Te Ao represents the limitless potential for change and transformation. It reflects the moments when tāne and men choose a path where change becomes possible.

With time, care and aroha, powerful things happen. Relationships can heal. Homes can become safer. Children can thrive in loving, stable environments.

This kaupapa is part of a wider vision where everyone in Aotearoa can thrive, free from violence.

• E Tū Whānau
• Te Aorerekura: National Strategy to Eliminate Family Violence and Sexual Violence

How it was developed

The framework and approach for Te Huringa ō Te Ao was developed through:

• research with tāne and men who use violence
• literature review on what works in New Zealand and overseas
• engagement with the family violence sector
• lessons learned from other MSD-funded services
• community kōrero and roadshows across New Zealand.

This feedback showed the need for services that are flexible, long-term, and locally-led.

• Insights from community roadshows 2023 (PDF 816.28KB)

Providers now have long-term contracts, up to 9.5 years. Funding is based on the number of kaimahi (staff) to deliver the service. This flexibility gives providers time and support to design, test, and grow services that work.

“It’s like I'm sitting in the bath. And I've got all these taps, they're all on at the same time. I don't know which problem to fix first. What tap do I turn off?”
– Male research participant

Te Huringa ō Te Ao framework and aspirations

While services look different in every community, they all align with the evidence-based Te Huringa ō Te Ao framework.

Te Huringa ō Te Ao Framework (PDF 169KB)

The principles underpinning Te Huringa ō Te Ao are aligned to the Family Violence Capability Frameworks. These have been developed by the Executive Board for the Elimination of Family Violence and Sexual Violence.

Resources for providers

Te Huringa ō Te Ao creates space for providers to listen, learn, build on what’s already strong, explore ideas for change and test them in practice.

We offer a range of resources that can support providers with service design.

• Service design resources
• Provider webinars
• Community stories

“Healing starts inward then out. This could be an opportunity for more targeted cultural interventions.”
– Family violence provider feedback