It's time to talk about visibility. For a long time I have known that one of the things we need to do in this country is to wake up and take notice. About a lot of things, but especially about domestic violence.   It’s incredibly difficult to tell your story of trauma and abuse, and … Continue reading Visibility

In the last few decades, NZ has built itself an underclass, and a poverty industry which entirely revolves around making sure the underclass stays where it is. There are countless charities and agencies which "work" with under resourced people, and most of them would be out of a job should the government and employers decide … Continue reading Imagine.

  *** This post has been edited to add a comment emailed to me by a reader. She wanted to point out that not all abusers have "tells" that other people would see. That comment - because this blog no longer accepts comments - has been added to the bottom of this post.     … Continue reading How To Spot The Pākeha Peril

If you’re struggling right now and you're in AKL.... Auckland Council Aucklanders unable to afford groceries or in self–isolation with no access to other support networks can call 0800 22 22 96 between 7am and 7pm, seven days a week. Callers must meet government criteria for assistance. 👉 Salvation Army 0800 53 00 00 Text your … Continue reading Where to get help with food in AKL right now. Food Banks and community services.

There is a lot of discussion recently, in lockdown, around police attending more family harm incidents, and a lot of people don't seem to know what this really is, so I thought I'd give it a crack. Because domestic violence is PART of family harm, as the police see it, but it is not what … Continue reading What is family harm?