At Te Whakaruruhau we believe that everyone deserves a life free from domestic violence and we work hard to support the right of women and children to live free from abuse. Te Whakaruruhau provides a 24 hour crisis service, safe housing and community based services. Our objectives are to provide accessible support, advice and information so that women can protect themselves (and their children) from violence in their homes.

 

Vision:

Whanau are resilient, intact and thriving.

 

Mission:

To deliver the highest quality service experience for the safety, happiness and strength of whanau living within Hamilton and the Waikato.

 

Values:

Te Whakaruruhau believes in the strength of the people of a community to utilise the principles of Tapu, Manaaki, Noa, Tika, Pono, and Aroha to create, respectful and nurturing environment for all its inhabitants.

 

Te Whakaruruhau’s values, beliefs and vision are embodied in their logo.  The marae in the logo metaphorically represents a model of wellbeing and interaction; of stability; growth and healing.  The whare represents the womb, the sacred house of the people (Te Whare Tangata), where future generations are born and protected for the continuation of whakapapa. The kaitiaki (guardians) are characterised by refuge Advocates who protect, mentor, and nurture Māori whānau.  As shown, the guardians of the whare are armed with tewhatewha and kotiate (as illustrated in our logo above). These traditional weapons represent the strategies, knowledge and skills that Te Whakaruruhau Advocates use to confront barriers and negotiate pathways towards safety and wellbeing (whānau-ora) for Māori whānau.  The hau surrounding the whare symbolises the multifaceted situational forces that can impede or enhance the achievement of safety.

 

At Te Whakaruruhau we believe that:

 

1. Māori women have a unique place (Te Whare Tangata) within the tribe, whakapapa and continuation of Māori nations and that this position provides for women’s autonomy, self determination, integrity and the right to develop to ones fullest potential within a supportive community – Wahine-ora

2. Children hold a divine and precious role within Māori society and that this places an obligation on all, to protect, guide, nurture and nourish the future generations – Tamariki-ora.

3. Tino Rangatiratanga mo te Iwi Māori is an ideological foundation stone with principles of self determination, autonomy, control over resources and destiny – Whānau-ora.