Our Journey

A range of work resulted, including significant consultation around the country with Pacific peoples on what was needed to create meaningful, sustainable change for families. These fono provided the foundation for the Pasefika Proud initiative, which was established in 2011.

Since its inception, Pasefika Proud has highlighted key issues for Pacific peoples and the need for community-led solutions that focus on prevention. The approach and action have evolved over time in response to emerging evidence, policy development, community dialogue and need. The following table provides a snapshot of key milestones on the Pasefika Proud journey.

A group of Pacific leaders continues to support Pasefika Proud, providing guidance and expertise, and an important point of exchange between the community and MSD.

Ongoing dialogue with the community is intrinsic to Pasefika Proud’s success.

The Pasefika Proud journey

Key milestones / developments informing and shaping the Pasefika Proud journey include:

2002 | Te Rito: New Zealand Family Violence Prevention Strategy (MSD) is published – it supports the development of ethnic-specific solutions to reduce family violence within Pacific peoples.

2005 | The establishment of the Pacific Advisory Group (PAG) to the Taskforce for Action on Violence within Families (MSD) – PAG advocates for the development of a cultural framework to address family violence.

2009 | The inaugural Programme of Action for Pacific Peoples: 2008 and Beyond is launched.

2010 | The Champions of Change fono – a ‘Call to Action’. The participants at this fono call for the inclusion of culture as the basis for developing new and more robust programme approaches in service provision. The fono also highlights the importance of Pacific peoples taking the lead in developing a programme of action to prevent and stop violence in Pacific families and communities.

2011 | Pasefika Proud: Our Families, Our People, Our Responsibility is created – a Pacific-owned initiative drawing on cultural values and strengths to build family and community wellbeing to prevent and address violence.

2012 | Nga Vaka o Kāiga Tapu conceptual framework is launched together with the first seven ethnic-specific family violence prevention frameworks (Cook Islands, Fijian, Niuean, Samoan, Tokelauan, Tongan and Tuvaluan).

2014 | The Pasefika Proud Programme of Action: 2014–2017 is launched. This sets out a framework for action, underpinned by Pacific core values and principles.

The first Nga Vaka o Kāiga Tapu family violence prevention training programmes are developed based on the conceptual cultural frameworks.

2015 | The Kiribati family violence conceptual framework (Boutokaan te mweeraoi – A Conceptual Framework for enhancing I-Kiribati wellbeing) is launched, the eighth framework in the Nga Vaka series.

2016 | Pasefika Proud community leader’s fono (national and regional) are held in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. They focus on how to mobilise Pacific community leadership to work with Government to better respond to and support our most at-risk Pacific children, young people and their families, and to celebrate achievements locally.

The Kiribati Maneaba Strategic Action Plan 2016–2019 (Kiribati Family Violence Prevention Plan) is launched, using the Boutokaan te mweeraoi conceptual framework for enhancing I-Kiribati wellbeing.

2018 | Further Pacific community and provider talanoa take place across the country to capture the voices of Pacific peoples and inform the Pasefika Proud Pathways for Change framework. 15 focus group sessions take place nationally and within the regions, including targeted youth sessions.

2019 | A National Nga Vaka o Kāiga Tapu fono is held in Auckland, supported by Pasefika Proud (February).

The Tuvalu Family Violence Prevention Plan: ‘Te Olaga Ola Filemu – A Life Embraced with Peace and Wellbeing’ is launched (June, West Auckland).

The Pasefika Proud Pathways for Change 2019–2023 – strategy and outcomes framework is developed.

2020 | The Pasefika Proud Pathways for Change 2019–2023 is published.

Nga Vaka o Kāiga Tapu – reclaiming and revitalising culture as the basis of Wellbeing

 A key Pasefika Proud milestone is Nga Vaka o Kāiga Tapu (Nga Vaka). Launched in 2012, Nga Vaka is community developed, community owned and community mandated, providing an overarching conceptual framework and eight ethnic-specific cultural frameworks to prevent and address family violence in New Zealand. The frameworks are rich with ethnic-specific values and concepts on the understanding that culture must be the basis for constructing any solution to family violence. Nga Vaka (and the ethnic-specific cultural frameworks) underpins all aspects of Pasefika Proud and our Pathways for Change framework.