Background of VFW

A snapshot of Violence Free Waitakere's history 

1997  

Informal discussions were held this year regarding promoting zero tolerance to violence in Waitakere – at that point it was called Zero Tolerance To Family Violence.

13^th August 1998

Working Party first met and it was stopped calling ZTTFV and starting calling it Zero Tolerance To Violence, as it was decided to focus on all violence, not just family violence. Both WATCS and Man Alive were aware of the need to focus more on prevention than agencies were able to do at that time. The decision was made to have it as a stand alone agency, separate from WAVES, which was seen as having an agency networking focus. It also was decided that it would be less complicated to raise funds for this specific project if stand alone.   ZT2V was intended to be a long term entity with a long term vision to focus on primary prevention of violence and network schools/violence policies/workplaces/sports clubs.

1998 one coordinator (Stephen Bell) employed part time.

1999 Charter launched, signed by Mayor Bob and taken to community organisations, businesses schools etc.

2000 This was the year there was a shift from being a project to an organisation and it was registered as an Incorporated Society. Intention was to be owned by the community and have community based accountability

Members at that stage were: Heather King, Annie Cochran, Warwick Pudney, Robyn Bigelow, Helen Jones, Kathryn Lawlor, Liz Malcouronne.

The major focus at this time was education. A billboard was displayed in Lincoln Road at the time. Stephen Bell was employed as a part time community educator 1999- early 2001.

2001-04 Elaine Dyer was asked prepare and present a submission to the Council  with a proposal that Waitakere become a City for Peace.  She then continued on as coordinator, and focused on Ranui as the whole of Waitakere was deemed too vast. This work was done alongside Ranui Action Project (RAP), and included the Dob in  Do-Gooder awards, AVP workshops, talks and the Violence Free Begins With Me schools pilot programme..

2002 Changed project name to Violence Free Waitakere

2004-09 Took on SKIP contract to promote positive parenting, initially in conjunction with Te Korowai Manaaki and later as an independent project when Te Korowai Manaaki was closed.  Spread ‘Ranui model’ to Kelston community and later Massey.

2004-2009 Toddler Day Out and Great Parenting Fair conducted annually each March.

2006-2009 Focus on Fathering Week held Waitakere wide over week leading up to Fathers Day  

2009 VFBWM programme independently evaluated

2009 Project Manager – 25 hrs/week

Administration Manager – 15 hrs/week

Administrator – 15 hrs/week

Sub contractors for some projects employed as necessary.