Looking Beyond Ticking Boxes – what really creates change?

A kaupapa Māori perspective on creating meaningful, sustained change in whānau and communities

Te Whare Ruruhau o Meri acknowledges the courage, honesty, and lived experience shared by victim-survivors in the Backbone Collective report. These voices are deeply important. They remind us that family violence is complex, ongoing, and profoundly harmful, and that the system does not always respond in ways that ensure safety or lasting change.

We agree with the central key message that participation in a programme alone does not guarantee behaviour change, neither does it ensure the safety of whānau. The evidence presented reinforces what many providers and practitioners already know; meaningful change requires more than attendance. It requires sustained engagement, accountability, and a system that prioritises the safety and wellbeing of victim-survivors and tamariki above all else.

At the same time, we believe it is important to consider how programmes are designed and delivered. Not all non-violence programmes are the same.

An independent evaluation conducted by the Kingi Ihaka Research Centre of our programme, Te Kawa o Te Marae, offers insight into an approach that attempts to respond differently. Rather than focusing only on behaviour, Te Kawa is grounded in kaupapa Māori values and practices that centre identity, relationships, and cultural reconnection.

The evaluation found that participants experienced early shifts in areas such as self-awareness, emotional regulation, and communication. These shifts are not, on their own, sufficient to guarantee safety. However, they are important foundations for change, particularly when they are connected to deeper reflection on whakapapa, relationships, and responsibilities within whānau.

A key strength identified in the evaluation was the role of cultural practice, not as an add-on, but as a core mechanism for change. Tikanga Māori, whakapapa work, and marae-based frameworks were described as helping participants understand themselves differently, reflect more openly, and engage more meaningfully in the process. This aligns with a broader body of knowledge that suggests lasting change is more likely when interventions strengthen identity, belonging, and relational accountability rather than focusing solely on compliance or surface-level behaviour.

This does not mean that programmes alone are the solution. The Backbone report clearly highlights the risks of systems that rely too heavily on programme attendance as proof of change, and we share those concerns. When completion or attendance is treated as evidence of safety, it can create a false sense of confidence and place victim/survivors at further risk.

Our evaluation similarly identifies the need for stronger system support around programmes. This includes better coordination with justice and social services, clearer referral pathways, and, critically, structured post-programme support to sustain any changes that begin during the intervention.

We also recognise that change does not occur at the same pace or in the same way for every individual. Participants come into programmes with different levels of readiness, often during times of crisis or instability. This reinforces the importance of approaches that are flexible, relational, and able to meet people where they are, while still maintaining accountability.

Ultimately, we see strong alignment between the concerns raised by victim-survivors and the direction in which kaupapa Māori approaches point. Both emphasise the need for deeper,
longer-term work that goes beyond “ticking the box.”

Where we believe there is an opportunity going forward is in strengthening the overall system so that:

• cultural, kaupapa Māori approaches are better supported and resourced
• programmes are evaluated not only on attendance but on meaningful, sustained change
• victim-survivor voices are consistently included in design, monitoring, and evaluation
• follow-up and accountability mechanisms extend beyond programme completion

Te Whare Ruruhau o Meri remains committed to continuing to learn, adapt, and improve our practice. The voices of victim-survivors are essential to that process, and we welcome the contribution this report makes to strengthening the wider system.

Our responsibility, as providers and as a sector, is not to defend programmes, but to ensure that our approaches genuinely contribute to safer whānau and communities. This requires honesty about what works, what does not, and a shared commitment to doing better.

Elizabeth Walker
Tāhuhu | CEO

For more information contact
Erin Rangi-Watt, Corporate Services Manager
Erin@tewhare.org.nz
022 499 7321