I signed the Charter because…

Kai Tahu, Ngā Ruahine

"...it's the right thing to do! Making a difference in our world today is not easy, collectively we can make the change we want to see. Create the change for the future. Mō tātou, ā mō kā uri ā muri ake nei! Violence has no place here.  Stand up for what you believe in, albeit, at times it is tough. Talk it through. Make a difference. Stand strong. Stand together. 'Me mahi tahi tātou. Mō te oranga o te katoa'."

Ngāti Hine, Ngā Puhi, Taupo 

"I’m against violence. My family has been through it, I’ve been abused myself and I’m over it. Violence has no part in my life anymore.”

Ngāti Kahungunu,Taupo

"It's empowering. The E Tū Whānau Charter takes a stand against violence by encouraging us to find positive solutions to issues that challenge us as Māori. Reading each section makes me feel happy not depressed...'We will uphold the tapu and the mana of our people.’ Awesome!"

Wairoa

"I’m tired of hearing about kids getting hurt, or even dying, because violence was accepted as part of their family life. Services and agencies can only do so much. The real solution to domestic violence lies behind the door of that whānau’s house. We have to look within ourselves, at our own attitudes and behaviours if we want to rid our homes of violence, and support others who want to make a change.  I’m signing the E Tu Whānau Charter because it’s common sense. Its values are common family values."

Black Power, Ngāti Pākeha, Pa Waiohiki

"Not only is it a potent symbolic act, but it also publicly puts me on the line and encourages me to intervene if I encounter such behaviour. It also strengthens my commitment to act as a kahukura and work hard at a community level to build up and strengthen the protective factors that mitigate the likelihood of domestic violence."

Ngāti Kahungunu, Te Waiariki, Ngātiwai, Wairoa

"I want to be a part of a community that works together to eliminate violence."

Ngāi Te Ruahikihiki, Ngāti Taoka, Te Atawhiua, Dunedin

"It describes what we can do – not what we can’t do – to eliminate violence from our homes and communities. Reclaiming and living our values are a big part of the E Tū Whānau Charter’s kaupapa and I believe in that kaupapa. I want to stand up for a violence free Aotearoa and encourage others to do the same." Donna is a member of E Tū Whānau’s Māori Reference Group

Tainui, Ngāti Haua, Waikato

"I’m committed to a violence free Aotearoa and making whatever changes we need to make for that to become a reality. I’m committed to change and I have an absolute belief that it's whānau who will make that change." Darrin is a longtime activist and advocate for E Tū Whānau.  He held the position of chairperson of the Māori Reference Group for several years.

Black Power, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Awa, Wellington

"I am committed to speaking up when I witness violence, especially against children. Sometimes I think we often don't think about what this means. To me it means when the uncle clips the kids' ears because they were playing around the hangi hole, I need to say something. When mum takes her child aside to verbally threaten them with violence, I need to say something. Because if I don't, they will think that is the only way one should deal with different situations."

Flaxmere

"I believe that the traditional values E Tū Whānau promotes are true. They’re what we are, the very best of us. We all need them and we need to help others by reaching out and reminding them that this is what we are. We have so much to be proud of."

Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Kahungunu, Te Arawa, Taupo

"...to protect our whakapapa. E Tū Whānau aligns well with our messages of hope, enabling our whakapapa to take responsibility with authentic tikanga and kawa – practices, beliefs and guidelines for living our lives free of all forms of violation.”

Wairoa

"We wholeheartedly support E Tū Whānau and the message it spreads regarding the unacceptable behaviour of all forms of violence within the whānau structure. The Charter of Commitment is a kindly reminder for us as Māori to hold true to those values and principles that have guided us through the generations."

 Ngā Puhi, Wairoa

"I want to take a stance alongside others in our community because I believe emphatically that violence has no place in our homes, lives and town. I personally believe that it is critical to raise strong men in our families. We need to teach our boys, our mokopuna, that it is 'normal' and healthy to have emotions and to feel vulnerable at times...such is life. Teach them it is ok to cry and emulate how to deal with these emotions positively rather than through conflict. Cherish the women in their lives."