Hey Laura,

Sorry but still trying to suss how to use this website out! anyway, how do you access and update the calendar? looks all weird in the formating section? We been blogging on facebook.com but will try using this more next couple of weeks.  Cheers, Hazel

Kia ora whanau,

Whilst its been a little while since our last blog we are happy to comment that support for womens refuge in Tauranga Moana since the launch date on 19th Monday July has been very busy indeed (so) thank you to all whanau, friends and community supporters who have called in with donations and support this week.  Thank you Te Puna lions with the good news this morning that the playground swings our on there way! thank you to the sisters who have dropped home baked cooking and yummy pavlovas off for our safehouse families; thank you to the brothers for helping us move furniture; who give money and time where and when they can again thank you.  All your help supports those of us who choose to work in this field nurturing our sisters, their children, family and whanau na mihi nui kia koutou Tauranga Moana.

Na Hazel Hape

If you support the kaupapa of a safe place for women and children here in TM then go to our facebook page friends of Tauranga Womens Refuge.  Your support is greatly appreciated so spread the word!

Kia ora koutou,
Even after working at the frontline of DV here in TM for 6 years watching the korero last night on 20/20 was deeply saddening na mihi aroha to whanau who have lost loved ones.  Viewing: http://tvnz.co.nz/20-20-news/domestic-violence-close-home-3593151/video?vid=3593063.

Well it appears that the Whanau Ora initiative being rolled out again this year has certainly caused alot of ‘discussion’ and everyone seems to be keeping there plans and proposals close to their chest – Good Luck! The Interim Police Safety Orders will start being given out to offenders JULY where police has assessed a DV/FV incident as serious and detrimental to the victim – Good Luck to the “UNDERFUNDED” Community Shelters and support agencies that will be left carrying the “baby”.  Lately, we have had to do a lot of work with Migrant women here on work, study and visitor permits who are not only isolated from their families overseas but subjected to perpertrator abuse and violence in ISOLATION; we’ve certaintly tried to help and others no doubt but when the JUDICIAL SYSTEM is set up to make Migrant women return to their abusers, face being deported, leaving there children in Good Old NZ? then  – Good Luck.  While Government efforts via Social Awareness Campaigns and Community conversations has helped disconstruct the ‘psyche’ of violence Good Old NZ/NZ still has a long way to go. GOOD LUCK.