The Waitakere Taskforce on Family Violence has launched new initiatives aimed at Maori whanau.
The initiatives were launched in the Glen Eden on Tuesday.
Statistics show that whereas Maori make up only 13% of the population of the western areas of Auckland city, they account for over 30% of violence reported to the police
The Taskforce's Maori sub- committee, Tatai Atawhai, has developed the initiatives which include Awhi Whanau,- a violence intervention prevention service.
Billboards featuring two local kaumatua and their mokopuna will be used to promote the importance of whakapapa.
Tatai Atawhai Chair Tiaria Fletcher says it's the first step in a long-term research project to track the rates and trends of family violence among Maori.
She says setting up the Awhi Whanau programme is significant as twice a week police allocate family violence cases to a variety of support services but, up until now, there has been no service for Maori provided by Maori.
