New Zealand Womens' Refuge says more than half of those seeking help from it are Maori.
The organisation launched its annual appeal on Monday.
Chief executive Heather Henare told Waatea News that although awareness campaigns have led to more domestic violence being reported, they haven't changed abusers' attitudes.
Ms Henare says 41 New Zealanders who were killed by members of their own family last year, twice the number of the previous year.