Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

A campaigner against domestic violence says schools can do more to fight abuse of women and children.

Te Kahui Mana Ririki trust chair Hone Kaa says many children aren't taught appropriate behaviour in the home and anti-violence education should become a formal part of the curriculum.

"It's certainly what I would expect of kohanga reo and kura kaupapa," he told Waatea News, "because of the high incidence of abuse in the midst of our iwi Maori.

"It's not just them, of course - it's across all sectors of primary and secondary education - but I do believe we can start this from primary-school level."

Mr Kaa says anti-violence programmes in Maori communities are starting to work.

Te Kahui Mana Ririki held a breakfast in Auckland on Wednesday to mark White Ribbon Day, which is aimed at raising awareness of violence against women.