Timeline - Government
Tools to implement Family Violence Capability Frameworks – SOS & E2E (Te Puna Aonui, 2023) published
Integrity Sport and Recreation Act 2023 passed, Integrity Sport and Recreation Commission to be established in 2024
Family Court (Family Court Associates) Legislation Act 2023 passed
National Mortality Review Committee (NMRC) established by Health Quality & Safety Commission (HQSC) on 1 July 2023, replacing five mortality review committees including the Family Violence Death Review Committee (FVDRC)
Children and Young People’s Commission Act 2022 passed, establishing Mana Mokopuna - Children & Young People’s Commission on 1 July 2023
Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System Act 2022, in force 1 May 2023
Meeting the needs of people affected by family violence and sexual violence (Auditor-General, 2023) on how the government agencies are working individually, together, and with tangata whenua, communities, and non-government organisations published
How well public organisations are supporting Whānau Ora and whānau-centred approaches (Auditor-General, 2023) published
New Zealand Defence Force: Resetting efforts to reduce harmful behaviour (Auditor-General, 2023) and related reports published
Police failed to respond to alleged sexual assaults against recruits (IPCA, 2023) report published
A roadmap for a violence and abuse free future for disabled people in Aotearoa. in te reo Māori - He mahere huarahi mō te kore taikaha me te kore tūkino mō ngā tāngata hauā ki Aotearoa (Te Kāhui Tika Tangata | Human Rights Commission, 2023) published
Six health strategies to deliver Pae Ora | Healthy Futures for all New Zealanders published by Manatū Hauora | Ministry of Health:
- New Zealand Health Strategy
- Pae Tū: Hauora Māori Strategy
- Te Mana Ola: The Pacific Health Strategy
- Health of Disabled People Strategy (Provisional)
- Rural Health Strategy, and
- Women’s Health Strategy
Family violence workforce capability frameworks (Te Puna Aonui, 2022) published:
The Joint Venture for the Elimination of Family Violence and Sexual Violence became Te Puna Aonui (1 July 2022), an Interdepartmental Executive Board under the Public Service Act 202
Te Pūkotahitanga - the Tangata Whenua Ministerial Advisory Group appointed in June 2022 to provide independent advice on the implementation of Te Aorerekura – the National Strategy to Eliminate Family Violence and Sexual Violence
Whaikaha, Ministry of Disabled People established 1 July 2022
Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 passed disestablishing District Health Boards and the Health Promotion Agency, repealing New Zealand Health and Disability Act 2000
Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand, replacing 20 District Health Boards, and Te Aka Whai Ora - Māori Health Authority, working in partnership with both Manatū Hauora | Ministry of Health) and Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand to ensure the health system works well for Māori establishe 1 July 2022
Pacific Wellbeing Strategy | Weaving of All-of-Government | Progressing Lalanga Fou launched
Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Act 2022 passed
Check it out (MSD) relationship tool released
Death of Malachi Subecz: Review reports and responses published
Te Hau Tangata : the sacred breath of humanity (Interim Te Rōpū, JVBU, 2021)
Sexual Violence Legislation Act 2021 passed
Wāhine - E rere ana ki te pae hou. Women rising above a new horizon: Women's strategy 2021 - 2025 (Ara Poutama Aotearoa | Department of Corrections, 2021) launched
Estimate of the total economic costs of sexual violence in New Zealand (Schulze, Hurren, Berl, 2021) for ACC published
Te Toka Tūmoana: Tangata whenua and bicultural principled wellbeing framework for working effectively with Māori (Eruera, Ruwhiu, Wi-Kaitaia, Oranga Tamariki, 2021) launched
Working in new ways to address family violence and sexual violence (Office of the Auditor-General, 2021) released
He Pāharakeke, he Rito Whakakīkinga Whāruarua: Oranga Tamariki urgent inquiry (Waitangi Tribunal, WAI 2915) report published
Elder Abuse in Aotearoa: The proposed future strategy for Elder Abuse Response Services (Ministry of Social Development) published
He purapura ora, he māra tipu: From redress to puretumu torowhānui, the Abuse in Care Royal Commission redress report ( Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions, 2021) published
Family Court (Supporting Families in Court) Legislation Act 2020 passed, amending the Care of Children Act 2004 and the Legal Services Act 2011
Relationship and sexuality education guides (Ministry of Education, 2020) for teaching Years 1-8 and Years 9-13 published
First Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence appointed - Marama Davidson (Green Party) – Minister outside Cabinet
Te Taanga Manawa a new multi-disciplinary family violence hub in Manukau launched, collocating Police, government and community agencies
$183 million in 2020 Budget for family and sexual violence services announced
Social Wellbeing Agency replaces the Social Investment Agency (19 March 2020)
Elder abuse in Aotearoa : the proposed future strategy for Elder Abuse Response Services (Ministry of Social Development, 2020) published
Three 5-year frameworks for the prevention of family violence covering the three Ministry of Social Development campaigns launched:
- E Tū Whānau Mahere Rautaki – Framework for change, 2019-2023
- Pasefika Proud – Pathways for Change, 2019-2023
- Campaign for Action on Family Violence – Framework for change, 2019-2023
New "Curriculum Leads” to work directly with schools, kura, early learning services and kōhanga reo to support the teaching of mental health and healthy relationships announced
Crimes (Definition of Female Genital Mutilation) Amendment Act 2020 passed
Abortion Legislation Act 2020 passed, amending the Contraception, Sterilisation, and Abortion Act 1977
Privacy Act 2020 passed, replacing Privacy Act 1993
Recent Migrant Victims of Family Violence Project 2019: Final Report (MBIE, 2020) published
Follow up reports to New Zealand’s 8th CEDAW review published
Tāwharautia: Pūrongo o te wā, the Abuse in Care Royal Commission interim report ( Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions, 2020) published
Sexual violence pilot court to be permanent in Auckland and Whangārei
Changes to Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 passed in 2017, fully in force 1 July 2019
Oranga Tamariki National Care Standards in force 1 July 2019
Report of the independent review of bullying and harassment in the Parliamentary workplace released
Te Korowai Ture ā-Whānau: The final report of the Independent Panel examining the 2014 family justice reforms (Ministry of Justice, 2019) published
He waka roimata: Transforming our criminal justice system, the first report from Te Uepū Hāpai i te Ora, the Safe and Effective Justice Advisory Group released
$320m funding package for family and sexual violence announced in Budget 2019
Children's Teams evaluation: Final report (Oranga Tamariki Evidence Centre, 2019) published
Translations of standard family violence terms for interpreters (Ministry of Justice) published
Safety of Children in Care. Oranga Tamariki – Ministry for Children publishes first quarterly report. Data available from 1 July 2018
Family Violence Act 2018 in force 1 July 2019
Information sharing guidance from 1 July 2019, published by Ministry of Justice, Oranga Tamariki and Ministry of Health
Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy released
Te Mana Whakamaru Tamariki Motuhake | Independent Children’s Monitor established on 1 July 2019 to monitor agency compliance with the NCS Regulations, initially hosted within MSD pending future legislation
Oranga Tamariki - Ministry for Children became the new name for child, youth and family services on 18 January 2018. Previously known as the Ministry for Vulnerable Children, Oranga Tamariki when the organisation replaced Child, Youth and Family on 1 April 2017
Safe to talk | He pai ki te kōrero national sexual harm helpline launched
Domestic Violence—Victims’ Protection Act 2018 passed. This Act which amends the , Employment Relations Act 2000, Holidays Act 2003, and Human Rights Act 1993 provides workplace protections for victims of domestic violence. The Act comes into force 1 April 2019.
Families Commission Repeal Act 2018 passed. Social Policy Evaluation and Research Unit (Superu) closed on 30 June 2018.
Family Violence Act 2018 passed. This act comes into force on 1 July 2019 and will repeal the Domestic Violence Act 1995.
Family Violence (Amendments) Act 2018 passed. Part 1 (amendments to Bail Act 2000), Part 3 (amendments to Crimes Act 1961) and Part 5 (amendments to the Evidence Act 2006) in force on 3 December 2018. The parts in force on 3 December 2018 introduce the new offences of strangulation or suffocation, coerced marriage or civil union, and assault on family member, and prioritise victim safety in bail decisions and enable video evidence. Other parts of the act come into force on 1 July 2019
Minors (Court Consent to Relationships) Legislation Act 2018 passed, requiring 16 and 17 year olds to apply to the Family Court for approval to marry or enter a civil union. Commenced 14 August 2018
Māori Cultural Framework (Oranga Tamariki – Ministry for Children) developed
Ngāi Tahu and Oranga Tamariki – Ministry for Children sign MOU
He Ara Oranga: Report of the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction published
Funding for Whānau Resilience Services ($15.369 million) and sexual violence services in 2018 Budget announced
ACC commits $18.4 million to make the Mates & Dates healthy relationships programme available in more schools nationwide
The Hāpaitia te Oranga Tangata - Safe and Effective Justice consultation process launched with the Criminal Justice Summit in August 2018
Atu-Mai, a five year, $5.9 million, national violence prevention programme for Pasifika young people led by LeVa working with ACC and Synergia launched
Mana Wāhine Kaupapa Inquiry - WAI 2700 - Waitangi Tribunal proceedings initiated
Social Investment Agency launched 1 July 2017
Children, Young Persons, and Their Families (Oranga Tamariki) Legislation Act 2017 received Royal Assent on 13 July 2017. This Act makes significant changes (not all yet in force) to the Children, Young Persons and their Families Act 1989, renaming the Act, Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 or Children’s and Young People’s Well-being Act 1989
ACC invests $1.3m funding over 3 years in Gandhi Nivas to support counselling expertise in working with men who are perpetrators of family violence
Pilot of free supervised handover service for vulnerable children in Rotorua and Whanganui announced
Inquiry into the Ministry of Social Development's collection of Individual-Client Level Data from NGOs (Office of the Privacy Commissioner, 2017) published
Whānau Ora funding extended for three more years
Family violence, sexual violence and violence within whānau: Workforce capability framework (Ministry of Social Development, 2017) published
Mandatory registration for social workers to be introduced
Family violence risk assessment and management framework: A common approach to screening, assessing and managing risk (Ministry of Social Development, 2017) published
Family Violence Summit (7 June 2017) held
'A decade of change': 2007 - 2017 (NZ Police, 2017), published. This fiinal report summarises how the Police responded to recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry into Police Conduct established in 2004
Elder abuse helpline launched 1 July 2017
Ministry for Vulnerable Children, Oranga Tamariki and iwi work together to strengthen whānau connections and improve children and whānau participation in decision-making.
Restorative justice: Best practice framework (Ministry of Justice, 2017) updated
Wahine - E rere ana ki te Pae Hou: Women's strategy 2017 - 2021 (Department of Corrections, 2017) published
Homecare Medical awarded the contract to set up and run a national sexual violence helpline service
Ministry for Vulnerable Children, Oranga Tamariki launched on 1 April 2017, replacing Child, Youth and Family. Renamed Oranga Tamariki - Ministry for Children on 18 January 2018
VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai launched
Bringing Gender In (Ministry for women | Manatū Wāhine), an online tool to assist policy developers to include gender analysis in their work, launched
Vulnerable Children (Children's Services) Order 2016 in force 18 April 2016
Strangulation: the case for a new offence (Law Commission report, 2016, no. 138) published
Integrated Safety Response (ISR) to family violence, first pilot site launched in Christchurch in July 2016, followed by second pilot site in Waikato in October 2016
Gang Intelligence Centre launched
Inaugural justice sector Science Advisor appointed
New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) Operation RESPECT, an action plan to address harmful and inappropriate sexual behaviour in the NZDF announced
Reforms to Child, Youth and Family announced
Understanding family violence: Reforming the criminal law relating to homicide (Law Commission report, 2016, no.139) published
Coroner's inquest on four youth suicides notes exposure to family violence
NetSafe appointed the Approved Agency under the Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015
Family Violence Assessment and Intervention Guideline: Child abuse and intimate partner violence (Fanslow, Kelly & Ministry of Health, 2016) updated
Sharing personal information of families and vulnerable children: A guide for inter-disciplinary groups (Privacy Commissioner & Children's Commissioner, 2016) published
NGO Social Work Study Award scheme defunded
Online toolkit, Making a Difference: Sexual Violence Primary Prevention Toolkit (ACC, 2016) launched
Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities signed by NZ Government, in force 4 November 2016
The profile of Pacific peoples in New Zealand (Pasefika Proud, 2016) and infographics: Understanding Who We Are (Pasefika Proud, 2016) and Understanding Family Violence (Pasefika Proud, 2016) published
New sexual violence court process in Whangarei and Auckland district courts piloted
New Zealand Disability Strategy 2016 to 2026 launched
Children, Young Persons, and Their Families (Advocacy, Workforce, and Age Settings) Amendment Act 2016 passed (in force 1 April 2017)
Healthy Ageing Strategy (Ministry of Health, 2016) released
Safer sooner: Strengthening family violence laws, a package of proposed law reform announced
Child Sex Offender (CSO) Register commenced operation on 14 October 2016 after the Child Protection (Child Sex Offender Government Agency Registration) Act 2016 was passed
Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015 passed
Inaugural Chief Victims Advisor appointed
Social Services Committee releases report into sexual violence service funding
The justice response to victims of sexual violence: criminal trials and alternative processes (Law Commission report, 2015, no. 136) published
Disability Action Plan 2014-2018: update 2015 released
Boutokaan o te mweeraoi: a conceptual framework for enhancing I-Kiribati wellbeing launched
Productivity Commission releases final report on social services
Court information sharing rules changed to support family violence decisions introduced
First public monitoring report on Child, Youth and Family - State of Care 2015 (Children's Commissioner, 2015) published
Government commences review of New Zealand's family violence laws: Strengthening New Zealand’s legislative response to family violence, a public discussion document (Ministry of Justice, 2015) released
Ministerial group launches new family violence work programme
Vulnerable Children (Requirements for Safety Checks of Children’s Workers) Regulations 2015 in force 1 July 2015
Privacy (Information Sharing Agreement for Improving Public Services for Vulnerable Children) Order 2015 in force 3 August 2015
Ministry of Social Development's Community Investment funding strategy announced
Revised guidelines on sexuality education in schools released
Panel to lead "major overhaul" of Child, Youth and Family established
Children's Action Plan launches guidelines; trials of Viki, AISA and The Hub announced
Family Violence Information Disclosure Scheme (FVIDS) introduced by New Zealand Police. This scheme is based on a UK initiative known as Clare’s Law
Victims Code launched
Expert Panel final report : investing in New Zealand's children and their families (Rebstock, 2015) published
Vulnerable Children Act 2014 passed
Children, Young Persons, and Their Families (Vulnerable Children) Amendment Act 2014 passed
- Victims' Orders Against Violent Offenders Act 2014 passed
- Disability Action Plan 2014-2018, developed in collaboration with Disabled Persons Organisations (DPOs), approved in April 2014. Priorities include: Reduce the number of disabled children and adults who are victims of violence, abuse or neglect.
Parole (Extended Supervision Orders) Amendment Act 2014 passed
Changes to Ministry of Justice funded domestic violence programmes announced
Police dataset focusing on victims developed, Recorded Crime Victims Statistics (RCVS) released
Victims' Rights Amendment Act 2014 passed
Law Commission work on sexual violence trial process reforms resumes
Police trial submission of digital evidence in family violence cases
Community Investment group created in Ministry of Development restructure
ACC healthy relationships programme, ‘Mates & Dates’ launched
Government announces "suite of initiatives" in the justice sector to address family violence
Government releases Expert Advisory Group on family violence report and its response
Pasefika Proud Programme of Action 2014-2017 launched
- 'It's not OK' campaign produces three of its messages in New Zealand Sign Language
- Ministerial responsibility for sexual violence taken on by Minister for Social Development
- Family Courts Amendment Act 2013 passed
- Vulnerable Children Bill introduced to Parliament
- Pasefika Proud Family Violence Research Plan launched
- Inquiry into improving child health outcomes and preventing child abuse with a focus from preconception until three years of age (Report of the Health Committee, House of Representatives, 2013) published
Putting people first: A review of Disability Support Services performance and quality management processes for purchased provider services (Van Eden, Ministry of Health, 2013) released
Domestic Violence Amendment Act 2013 passed
Restorative justice standards for family violence and sexual offending (Ministry of Justice, 2013) published
Tainui and Child, Youth and Family sign Memorandum of Understanding
New funding model for Whānau Ora launched
Ngāti Porou and Child, Youth and Family sign a Memorandum of Understanding to work together to better protect vulnerable children
E Tū Whānau Programme of Action for addressing family violence 2013-2018 launched
- Government announces recommendations made by the Law Commission for improvements to trial processes for sexual offences will not be implemented
- Report into abuse of nine year old girl (Smith. Report to the Minister for Social Development and Employment, 2012) released
Nga Vaka o Kāiga Tapu, the Pacific Conceptual Framework launched. A cultural framework for addressing family violence in seven Pacific communities in New Zealand
- Use of ODARA risk assessment tool by Police commenced
- White Paper for Vulnerable Children and Children's Action Plan released
- Turning of the Tide: a Whānau Ora Crime and Prevention Strategy launched
- Taskforce for Action on Violence within Families restructured
- Public Safety (Public Protection Orders) Bill introduced to Parliament
Te Rūnanga Ā Iwi O Ngāpuhi and Child, Youth and Family sign Memorandum of Understanding to work together to protect and nurture children. Ngāpuhi are the first iwi to sign such an agreement
- Multi-agency statement on a collaborative responce to actual and potential forced marriage signed
Ngāi Tūhoe signs a Social Services Management Plan with the Government to improve social outcomes in the iwi's rohe of Te Urewera
Crimes Amendment Act (No 3) 2011 passed. Creates a new offence of 'failure to protect' a child or vulnerable adult
- Prevention First, New Zealand Police operating strategy 2011 - 2014 launched
Responsibility for Family Violence Death Review Committee transferred to Health Quality & Safety Commission
- Green paper for vulnerable children launched, consultation process commenced
- Family Court Review consultation commenced
- Advocates for Children and Young People Who Witness Family Violence defunded
- Law Commission report on Review of Part 8 of the Crimes Act 1961 (NZLC R111) released. Recommends additional provisions that will make parents and caregivers liable if they fail to protect their children from injury or fail to intervene when a child is at risk.
- Changes to improve access to the Victims of Domestic Violence (VDV) immigration policy announced by Department of Labour
E Tu Whānau Ora – Programme of Action launched
- Report of the Taskforce for Action on Sexual Violence published
- Programme of Action for Pacific Peoples 2008 and Beyond strategy launched
- Taskforce for Action on Sexual Violence disestablished
- Domestic Violence Amendment Act 2008 passed
- Never, Ever Shake a Baby Campaign launched
- Preventing elder abuse and neglect, a fact sheet (Families Commission, 2008) published
- Changes to the Domestic Violence Act 1995 proposed
- Improvements to sexual violence legislation in New Zealand: public discussion document (Ministry of Justice, 2008) released
- Family Violence Taskforce for Action on Violence Within Families ongoing programme of action released
- Family Violence Death Review Committee established
- Prevention and reduction of Family Violence: an Australasian policing strategy launched
- NZ Government ratifies UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
- Family violence intervention guidelines: elder abuse and neglect (Glasgow & Fanslow, Ministry of Health, 2007) published
- The establishment of four new Family Violence Courts (Lower Hutt, Masterton, Porirua and Auckland City) announced
- Taskforce for Action on Sexual Violence established
- Campaign for Action on Family Violence - It's Not OK Campaign launched
- Health sector expands response to family violence. New violence prevention programme resources launched
- Crimes (Substituted Section 59) Amendment Act 2007 - act to repeal Section 59 (Parental control) of the Crimes Act 1961 passed (in force 21 June 2007)
- Criminal Justice Reform Bill passed as five acts, in particular amending the Parole Act 2002
- Review of the Domestic Violence Act 1995 discussion document released
Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Police Conduct (Bazley, 2007) released
- Department of Child, Youth and Family Services merged with Ministry of Social Development. Child, Youth and Family operates as a service of the Ministry of Social Developmeent
- Screening, Risk Assessment and Intervention for Family Violence including Child Abuse (NZS 8006:2006), national standard launched June 2006
- The Taskforce for Action on Violence within Families first report published
- 2006 Budget committed an extra $68.8 million over four years to programmes to reduce violence
- Ministry of Social Development workshop on family violence held
- Family Violence Ministerial Group formed
- Te Rito News, first issue published
- Second Family Violence Court established in Manukau (Auckland)
- Taskforce for Action on Violence within Families established
- First two Police Family Safety Teams launched - pilot programme
- Phase II of the Police Family Violence Investigation report pilot launched
- Creating a culture of non-violence: report from the Parliamentarians' Group on Population and Development, Open hearing into the prevention of violence against women and children published
- Child abuse reporting protocol between Work and Income and CYF signed
- Three of four pilot Family Safety Teams in operation
- Domestic Violence and Harassment Legal Education Kit published (Legal Services Agency 2005) published
- MSD Family Violence Intervention Programme for Work and Income case managers launched
Strong Pacific Families strategy (in Te Rito News, Issue 1, July 2005) implemented in four regions (2005 - 2007)
ACC pilot programme for children who witness violence within families commenced (2004 - 2005)
- Family and Community Services established within Ministry of Social Development to co-ordinate and implement Work and Income Family Violence Intervention Programme
- Te Rito fund for community-based collaborative initiatives to prevent family violence established. This provided the initial funding for Te Rito Family Violence Network Coordinators
- Families Commission established
Opportunity for All New Zealanders (MSD, 2004) published. Identifies family violence as area for priority action by the Government over next 3-5 years
- Care of Children Act 2004 passed
Commission of Inquiry into Police Conduct established
Aplin investigation report (Office of the Commissioner for Children, 2003) published
Care and Protection Blueprint (Ministry of Social Development, 2003) published
- New Zealand Injury Prevention Strategy launched
- Work and Income New Zealand Family Violence Intervention Programme piloted
- Children’s Commissioner Act 2003 passed
Families Commission Act 2003 passed. Repealed, on 30 June 2018, by section 7 of the Families Commission Act Repeal Act 2018
- Te Rito Advisory Group established involving government and non-government agencies in overseeing the 18 Areas of Action for preventing family violence in Aotearoa New Zealand
- Family Violence Intervention Guidelines: child and partner abuse (Fanslow. Ministry of Health, 2002) published
Te Rito: New Zealand Family Violence Prevention Strategy (Ministry of Social Development, 2002) released
- Victims' Rights Act 2002 passed
- Parole Act 2002 passed
- Ministry of Social Development established with the amalgamation of the Ministry of Social Policy and the Department of Work and Income
- Family Violence Strategic Agenda for Māori report (Te Puni Kōkiri, 2001) published
- Review of Family Violence Prevention in New Zealand: Plan of Action (Ministry of Social Policy, 2001) released
Victims of Domestic Violence immigration policy first implemented by Department of Labour. Criteria enhanced in 2009
- New Zealand Health Strategy launched
- James Whakaruru investigation report (Office of the Commissioner for Children, 2000) published
Crime Prevention Unit transferred to Ministry of Justice from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC)
Te Puni Kōkiri to develop Family Violence Strategic Agenda for Iwi/Māori
- Ministry of Social Policy, the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services and the Department of Work and Income (from 1998) created. These three agencies replaced the Department of Social Welfare. (see Garlick, 2012, p.207)
- Māori Provider Development Fund established, administered by Te Puni Kōkiri
- Protecting Women and Children: An Interagency Response to Family Violence training kit jointly developed by NZ Police, NCIWR and CYPFA. Joint agency training of Police, social workers and community advocates is undertaken around the country
- Family Violence Unit disbanded
- Family Violence Focus Group co-convened by the Ministry of Social Policy and Crime Prevention Unit, comprising representatives from both government and non-government sectors. The focus group worked on developing a strategic plan for family violence
- Responses to Crime: Annual Review 1999 (Ministry of Justice, 1999), a follow-up report, published
- Responses to Crime: Annual Review 1998 (Ministry of Justice, 1998), first report published
- An Agenda for Family Violence Research (Family Violence Unit, Social Policy Agency and Te Puni Kōkiri, 1998) published
- Family Violence: Guidelines for Health Sector Providers to Develop Practice Protocols (Ministry of Health 1998) published
- NZ Police, National Collective of Independent Women’s Refuges and CYPFA meet to develop interagency response to family violence and joint training initiative
- Department of Social Welfare led Strengthening Families strategy approved by Cabinet
- Ministry of Justice Responses to Crime strategy agreed by Cabinet
Harassment Act 1997 passed
- Department of Social Welfare Family Violence Unit established
- Breaking the Cycle: Interagency Protocols for Child Abuse Management (CYPS, 1996) published
- New Zealand Government Statement of Policy on Family Violence (Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, 1996) released
- Crime Prevention Package (Budget 1996)
- The OASIS Protocol: Guidelines for identifying, treating and referring abused women (Fanslow, 1996) published
- Good Practice Guidelines for Coordination of Family Violence Services (Department of Social Welfare, 1996) published
- Guardianship Amendment Act 1995 introduced a presumption that parents who use violence should not have unsupervised access to their children. This amendment along with the principal act repealed by the Care of Children Act 2004
- Domestic Violence Act 1995 passed
- NZ Crime Prevention Strategy launched
- Family Violence Advisory Committee established by Minister of Social Welfare
- Report of inquiry into Family Court proceedings involving Christine Madeline Bristol and Alan Robert Bristol (Davison, Department of Justice, 1994) published
- Police Family Violence Policy re-emphasised in Police Strategic Plan. Guidelines reissued
- Crime Prevention Unit established in the Prime Minister’s Department
- UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women adopted
- NZ Government ratifies UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
Privacy Act 1993 passed. Updated by Privacy Act 2020
- Crime Prevention Action Group established by government to develop a national strategy for crime prevention
- Child abuse: guidelines for health services (Department of Health, 1992) published
Family Violence Prevention Coordinating Committee (FVPCC) (see Carswell, 2006, Ch.2) disbanded
- First Family Violence Court established in Waitakere (Auckland)
- Child Support Act 1991 passed
FVPCC conference, Family Violence: Prevention in the 1990s, held in Christchurch, 1 - 6 September 1991
- Dangerous situations: the report of the Independent Inquiry Team reporting on the circumstances of the death of a child (Independent Inquiry Team. DSW, 1989) published
- Office of the Commissioner for Children established
Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act 1989 passed. Renamed Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 (or Children's and Young People's Well-being Act 1989), by significant amending legislation passed in July 2017
- Reach Out public education campaign launched, co-ordinated by FVPCC
- Victims Task Force set up for five-year period
- Police Family Violence Policy adopted
- Review of the Children and Young Persons Bill (Report of the Working Party. Department of Social Welfare 1987)
- Launch of Keeping Ourselves Safe Programme for primary schools (developed by the Police’s Law-Related Education Programme)
- FVPCC Statement on Family Violence issued; Tūkino Tangata (Māori caucus) established
- Victims of Offences Act 1987 passed. Repealed by Victims' Rights Act 2002
- Report of the Ministerial Committee of Inquiry into Violence (Roper. Ministerial Committee, 1987) published
- Puao-Te-Ata-Tu (Ministerial Advisory Committee on a Māori Perspective for the Department of Social Welfare, 1986 published
- Police research into domestic violence (see Carswell, 2006, Ch.2) undertaken
- Review of Refuge instituted by the Minister of Social Welfare
- Family Violence Prevention Coordinating Committee (FVPCC) formed
- NZ Government ratifies UN Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)
Department of Social Welfare established funding for rape and sexual abuse services
- Review of the Children and young person's legislation: public discussion document (Manchester. Departmet of Social Welfare, 1984) published
- Department of Social Welfare provides some funding for Women’s Refuges (see Garlick, 2012, p.107)
- Maatua Whangai programme (see Garlick, 2012 p.103) established
- National Advisory Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse (NACPCA) established bringing together representatives from government and non-government agencies, including the Department of Social Welfare (see Garlick, 2012, p. 102)
- Family Courts Act 1980 passed
- Pilot projects to trial child protection teams in Dunedin and Hamilton
- Family Proceedings Act 1980 passed
- Report of the Royal Commission on the Courts (Beattie. 1978) (see Watt, 2003, p.8) published
Contraception, Sterilisation, and Abortion Act 1977 passed. Substantive amendments made by Abortion Legislation Act 2020
- Inter-departmental committee on child abuse formed involving departments of Health, Social Welfare and Education established
- Department of Social Welfare formed, bringing together the Social Security Department and the Child Welfare Division of the Education Department (see Garlick, 2012, p. 87-88)
Adoption Act 1955 passed
- Child Welfare Division of Education Department replaces Child Welfare Branch (see Garlick, 2012, p.59)
- Child Welfare Act 1925 passed (see Garlick, 2012, p.53). Repealed by Children and Young Persons Act 1974
- Child Welfare Branch of the Educaton Department (see Garlick, 2012, p.53) and the Children's Court (see Watt, 2003) established
- Industrial Schools Act 1882 (see Watt, 2003, p.7) passed. Consolidated 1908 and repealed by Child Welfare Act 1925
- Neglected and Criminal Children Act 1867 (see Watt, 2003, p.7) passed. Repealed by Industrial Schools Act 1882