An innovative programme aimed at reducing rates of serious offending among Māori is having a positive impact on Māori communities within Tāmaki Makaurau.

Te Whare Ruruhau o Meri Trust, with the help of Te Puni Kōkiri, is tackling the issue of domestic violence by working with offenders to improve their parenting and relationship skills to support good, healthy whānau environments.

Facilitators and counsellors engage with offenders to teach them new ways of communicating and help them to re-tell their own experiences to address and understand their own histories of violence. To date, 17 Māori men have successfully completed the programme.