13 Jul 2018

NZ police welcome new Pacific violence prevention programme

2:59 pm on 13 July 2018

New Zealand police are welcoming the first national violence prevention programme aimed specifically at Pasifika people.

Atu Mai is a collaboration between New Zealand's Accident Compensation Corporation, Pacific organisation Le Va and consulting group Synergia.

According to police statistics, Pacific people are five times more likely to face investigation for assault, with almost half of perpetrators under the age of 25.

The police National Pacific strategic advisor, Inspector Peter Stokes, said the number of callouts to Pacific homes was significantly higher when compared to other communities.

"We have noticed that there has been a gap. You know, we've been trying to find organisations that could work in this space."

"Particularly those who have that cultural awareness that can be part of a treatment package so we're really pleased to see organisations coming in that can do this," he said.