NZ Launches 'Vine' to Strengthen National Response to Family and Sexual Violence

Aotearoa New Zealand has taken a significant leap forward in its mission to eliminate family and sexual violence with the official launch of Vine – Violence Information Aotearoa, a comprehensive knowledge platform designed to support prevention and response efforts nationwide. The initiative, which evolved from the long-standing NZ Family Violence Clearinghouse, was formally welcomed by the Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, Karen Chhour.

“This resource will be hugely useful for frontline services and everyone who cares for, and supports, victim survivors,” said Minister Chhour during the announcement. “It will equip everyone from the frontline to researchers, to policy makers and even news media with good quality information and understanding of what is proven to work in eliminating violence.”

A Rebranded and Revitalized Knowledge Hub

Formerly known as the NZ Family Violence Clearinghouse, Vine has served as New Zealand’s central repository for violence-related data and resources for over two decades. With the launch of a new website, Vine not only adopts a new name but a renewed purpose—to be a modern, accessible, and practical tool for those working to prevent and respond to family and sexual violence.

Vine’s online library features over 7,000 records, including reports, research papers, best practice guides, toolkits, and policy briefs. In addition, the physical library holds more than 2,000 resources for deeper academic and practice-based inquiry. The website is structured to facilitate easy navigation, allowing users to search by themes such as prevention strategies, intervention techniques, community-based approaches, and survivor support systems.

Key Features and Offerings

At the heart of Vine is a commitment to making high-quality, evidence-based information readily available. The platform includes:

• Comprehensive statistics on violence trends in Aotearoa

• Evidence-based frameworks and national guidelines

• Practice insights from diverse cultural and community perspectives

• Event listings and updates from across the sector

• News articles highlighting emerging issues and innovations in violence prevention

This knowledge hub is tailored to meet the needs of a wide range of users, including social workers, medical professionals, law enforcement, researchers, journalists, and policy makers.

Embedded in Te Aorerekura

Vine is a critical component of Te Aorerekura, New Zealand’s national strategy to end family and sexual violence. Specifically, the resource supports the implementation of Action Plan 2, which focuses on breaking the cycle of violence through evidence-informed investment and collective action.

This second action plan prioritizes data transparency, cross-agency collaboration, and empowering communities with knowledge. Vine stands as a cornerstone in delivering these objectives, enabling all actors in the ecosystem to stay informed and aligned on what works.

A Team Effort Backed by Vision

Dr. Charlotte Moore, the director of Vine, was commended by Minister Chhour for her leadership and the team’s dedication in shaping the platform. “I would like to congratulate Dr Charlotte Moore and the team at Vine for the work they have done to create a space that is easy to navigate and enables workforces to easily access information about violence prevention and effective practice,” said the Minister.

The platform has been developed with input from frontline practitioners, Māori leaders, survivor advocates, and academic researchers, ensuring that it reflects both lived experience and professional expertise.

Encouragement to Engage

Minister Chhour encouraged New Zealanders and organizations to utilize Vine as a key resource in violence prevention. “I encourage people to visit Vine and engage with the information there,” she said.

With Vine’s launch, New Zealand reinforces its commitment to ending violence through knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and sustained, strategic action. As the platform continues to evolve, it promises to be a vital enabler in building safer communities for all.