The government ultimately wants to introduce high-trust funding similar to the Covid-19 response for dealing with family and sexual violence, the minister says.
Family and Sexual Violence Prevention Minister Marama Davidson. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Family and Sexual Violence Prevention Minister Marama Davidson was speaking to sector leaders at the first annual Te Aorerekura hui this morning, held online this year.
Te Aorerekura is the government's 25-year family and sexual violence prevention strategy, and Davidson - who is also the Green Party co-leader - said it was on track to meet all 40 targets the framework laid out.
Launched seven months ago in December, the strategy's third stage saw the unveiling of workforce and organisational best-practice guides in May which Davidson said would help ensure victims and survivors are referred to the right supports.
"We know that many of our frontline workers - whether it's teachers, caseworkers, doctors, community workers - are being asked to do this every day, not necessarily with the knowledge and expertise.
"That needs to go across all of our workforce especially when we work alongside victims and survivors. We hear them, we believe them, we respect them, we are sensitive to safety, we are aware of the distinct needs that people have and can help them and connect them to the right support."
Answering questions after her speech, Davidson confirmed the government was aspiring towards a high-trust funding contract model for social services, similar to the community-led approach to social services and vaccinations seen during the Covid-19 response.
"The answer is yes, that is the aspiration ... essentially Te Aorerekura depends on that, the integrated community responses is one of the ways around the regions that we want to start modelling that but I'm very clear that is exactly what needs to happen."
"The communities have been telling me every meeting, every hui I go to, that is absolutely the commitment and the aspiration. I also know that our systems are clunky and are not honouring that approach right at this moment."
Last month she appointed a Tangata Whenua advisory group, and today said an indigeneity framework which acknowledged the impacts of colonisation and institutional racism as contributors to intergenerational trauma was needed to find solutions for healing and responding to violence.
An oversight group, the Te Puna Aonui joint venture, will also be responsible for aligning the whole-of-government strategy, policy and investment.
Various ministers are expected to attend the hui this week, and Davidson said she planned to be available to attend most of the event.