Our intentions: Looking at how well the public sector meets the needs of those affected by family violence and sexual violence

12 July 2022: We’re looking at how effectively agencies involved in a cross-government effort to eliminate family violence and sexual violence are working together and with non-government organisations, tangata whenua, and communities to meet the needs of people affected by family violence and sexual violence.

Family violence and sexual violence affect hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders every year. Those affected by family violence and sexual violence often have multiple and complex needs. Meeting those needs effectively can require the involvement of multiple government agencies, non-government organisations (NGOs), tangata whenua, and communities.

In December 2021, the Government announced the creation of a new Interdepartmental Executive Board (IEB) to support the elimination of family violence and sexual violence. The agencies involved include Oranga Tamariki, the New Zealand Police, the Department of Corrections, Te Puni Kōkiri, and the ministries for Social Development, Health, Justice, and Education. The Accident Compensation Commission is an advisor to the IEB. Building on the work of a previous cross-government joint venture, the IEB is tasked with enabling the collaborative responses, clear roles, and responsibilities required to deliver Te Aorerekura: the National Strategy to Eliminate Family Violence and Sexual Violence.

What we’re focusing on

Our performance audit will look at how effectively the agencies involved in the IEB are working together and with NGOs, tangata whenua, and communities to meet the needs of people affected by family violence and sexual violence.

To do this, we will look at:

how well the IEB agencies understand the needs of those affected by family violence and sexual violence;
how well the IEB agencies are planning to meet the needs of those affected by family violence and sexual violence; and
how well the IEB agencies are working to ensure that responses are delivered in ways that best meet the needs of people affected by family violence and sexual violence.

The difference we expect to make

Our work will provide independent assurance to Parliament and the public that the agencies involved are working together effectively and with NGOs, tangata whenua, and communities to respond in ways that meet the needs of those affected by family violence and sexual violence.

We will look to highlight good practice and identify where improvements can be made. This will include a focus on the benefits and challenges for government agencies, NGOs, tangata whenua, and communities in working together in more connected ways.

Our work will offer an opportunity for the Office to share lessons from the different approaches to working in these new ways.

Please use the feedback form on the right if you’d like to speak to a staff member about this performance audit, make a suggestion, or ask a question.

We expect to complete this work in the first quarter of 2023.