Pacific Practitioners’ Forum Update

Te Tai Tokerau Regional Meeting

Last year (2023) Pasefika Proud reported on how the Pacific Practitioners Fono into FV/SV prevention had led to the formation of a group whose aim was to advance ideas gathered at the Fono in an effort to combat the problem in our communities.

To date, the National Komiti, which is supported by Te Puna Aonui, has published three informative e-newsletter updates and the National Fono report has also been released.

The report identified the key themes and messages to serve as a base document for future planning and implementation with a particular focus on frontline practice. 

In the December e-newsletter it was reported that ‘’multiple connections’’, both in person and online, between practitioners and government agencies was bringing ‘’meaningful and insightful’’ Fono to the regions.

In November, Wellington, and Te Tai Tokerau were the first regions to host meetings and these were funded by Pasefika Proud. 

The Chief Advisor of Te Puna Aonui, Wellington, Liz Tanielu, said almost 150 participants converged on her hometown of Porirua for the Wellington Fono.

She said the presentations provoked lots of discussion, which, in some cases, was ‘’quite confronting and challenging’’.

But it was all in the spirit of better collaboration and improving and embedding good practice in the workplace and building on what they were learning.

‘’The Fono reinforced for me that, as Pacific peoples in Aotearoa … we can role model the change we want to see,’’ Liz said.

‘’We have a track record for showing what works and what can make a difference through cultural frameworks and practice, we have deep connections with Pacific families and a strong shared identity as a growing and evolving people.’’

She said the work was complex, but she believed they were on the right track in collectively identifying the system barriers and solutions for addressing.

The Te Tai Tokerau regional meeting was held at the end of November in Whangarei and was described by community leader Te Hiwi Preston as ‘’liberating and packed with a sense of community responsibility’’.

Wellington- 7 November 2023, Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua

He said the two-day gathering brought ‘’enlightenment, resiliency and a clearer pathway to move forward’’.

‘’(It) has made our community more aware of what is needed to eliminate family and sexual violence in our community and families,’’ he said.

‘’Our future mokopuna have the right to live in a world where they can thrive and participate without fear.’’

Three more regional FV/SV forums are planned for the near future.

An online Fono took place in January. Invercargill hosted a forum in February, and the combined Bay of Plenty/Taranaki/Waikato region will get together in Hamilton on March 22.

Discussions have started for the combined Hawkes Bay/Tairawhiti Fono, and talks will begin soon about Auckland hosting a meeting.

View the Pacific Practitioners’ Forum December E-News HERE

If your organisation or community group has any national or local events that would benefit our practitioners’, please email pasifikalead@toah-nnest.org.nz.

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For more information contact – pasifikasupport@toah-nnest.org.nz

Read more on the National Pacific Practitioners' Fono

Read more on Te Aorerekura Hui - Strengthening work being done

Read more on Te Aorerekura - A step in the right direction

Read more on the National Strategy to eliminate family violence and sexual violence

HOW PASEFIKA PROUD FITS WITHIN TE AOREREKURA NATIONAL STRATEGY TO ELIMINATE FAMILY VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE