Police in Kaitaia say collaboration with Maori social service providers has caused a big drop in recidivist family violence.
A collective of Far North iwi and Maori providers has been working with the police for the past two years to reduce Maori offending.
An iwi-liaison officer for Kaitaia says whanau who often come to the attention of police are referred to the collective, which then creates wrap-around services to help the whanau.
Te Uri Reihana-Ngatote says there has been a reduction in the number of whanau reappearing before police for family violence as a result.
Mr Reihana-Ngatote says of the 10 high risk families identified in the area, only one whanau has come to police attention in the past six months.
He says the model is also having a positive impact on youth, and improving their views of school.
