Introducing Atu-Mai

On Wednesday 4 July, Le Va, supported by the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), launched Atu-Mai New Zealand’s first national violence prevention programme for Pasifika young people. You can see more about the launch, the amazing Pasifika young people that were there, and hear from the Minister for ACC, the Hon Iain Lees-Galloway and Minister for Pacific Peoples, the Hon Aupito William Sio below. 

You can also find out more about the origin of the name ‘Atu-Mai’ and an amazing spoken piece video here.

Atu-Mai supports Pasifika young people and their families to be confident and resilient, and experience healthy and safe family and social relationships. Le Va is taking an educational focus and skills-based approach aiming for behavioural change across generations.

The launch was the culmination of two and a half years of research, consultation and planning led by Dr Monique Faleafa, CEO of Le Va. There is no other nationally funded programme focussed on sexual violence and family violence prevention, tailored specifically for Pasifika young people. Atu-Mai addresses a significant unmet need for Pasifika young people and their families.

The Steering Committee has been invaluable and consists of: Dr Siale Foliaki (Clinical Lead, Homecare Medical), Silimoli Rokeni Tofaeono (Clinical Manager, Safe Network), Dr Lana Perese (Research Manager, Malatest), Mike McCarthy (Injury Prevention Manager, ACC), and from Le Va Abba Fidow and Dr Monique Faleafa.

Find out more about the name ‘Atu-Mai’, read about what the programme consists of, or register for online learning at atumai.nz. 

Atu-Mai media coverage

Since the launch, we’ve undertaken a lot of media and promotions to discuss Atu-Mai. Click on some of the links below for more information. 

Television

• Newshub: Cost of assault on Pacific people rising
• 1 News: National violence programme for Pasifika youth kicks off
• Tagata Pasifika: Atu-Mai preventing violence for young Pasifika
• Maori Television: First ever violence prevention programme for young Pasifika

Radio coverage

• Radio 531PI: Dr Monique Faleafa interview  
• Interviews on Newstalk ZB and RadioLive (not available online)

Web articles

• Stuff: Empowering national violence prevention programme targeted at Pasifika youth launched
• New Zealand Herald: Govt launches $6m violence prevention programme for Pacific Islanders
• Scoop: Violence prevention programme for Pasifika young people
• Timaru Herald: Three quarters of Pasifika family and sexual violence goes unreported due to cultural barriers – ACC
• The Press: Three quarters of Pasifika family and sexual violence goes unreported due to cultural barriers – ACC
• Auckland Now: Three quarters of Pasifika family and sexual violence goes unreported due to cultural barriers – ACC
• Manawatu Standard: Three quarters of Pasifika family and sexual violence goes unreported due to cultural barriers – ACC
• Live News: Supporting Pasifika young people in New Zealand
• NZ City: A step to change the disproportionate amount of young Pasifika people exposed to family and sexual violence
• New Zealand Family Violence Clearinghouse: National violence prevention programme for Pasifika young people launched