Media release from the Families Commission

"Last night's Māori TV programme, 'Tamariki Ora - a New Beginning' was a defining moment for Māori," says Kim Workman, Families Commissioner, Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa. The programme deals with the issues of Māori family violence and child abuse.

A defining moment is a 'moment in our lives that defines who we are'.

The 'Tamariki Ora' programme demonstrated that Māori are determined to acknowledge the issues of family violence and abuse. It showed Māori men acknowledging that the abuse they received as children, turned them into abusers of their own children It also showed the extent to which whānāu are acknowledging the issues, forging their own solutions, and actively working within their whānāu and the community to encourage positive, loving relationships.

Mr Workman recalls, "In my own marae, less than 20 years ago, I was present when a group of kuia defended a kaumatua who had sexually abused a visiting school child, excusing this as a practise that was culturally acceptable in traditional times. We all knew that was nonsense but no-one had the guts to face the issue head on. Those days are well and truly gone."

"I wept tears at the programme - but they were tears of joy. From this day on, no-one will ever be able to say that Māori are failing to take responsibility for their own behaviour," says Mr Workman.

"Attitudes of New Zealanders towards violence continues to change with one in five people who recall the It's not OK campaign taking some action as a result, and six out of 10 saying they have influenced someone else's behaviour.

"Family violence continues to be identified as the single most important social issue for New Zealanders with a recent survey showing 86 percent of respondents saying they would like to see increased effort put into reducing family violence.

"I hope that the 'Tamariki Ora' programme inspires further change and that communities adopt the messages of "It's not OK' and the White Ribbon Day campaigns, ending the plague of violence in our homes.

"I would urge every New Zealander to watch the programme. The second part screens tonight, and it is compulsive viewing," says Kim Workman.