Five Women's Refuges will receive a total of $415,000, from the Family Violence Whānau Ora Fund, to deliver services under government contracts.

The fund is for providers that focus on families as a whole, supporting those that are experiencing, or have experienced family violence, and helping them to resolve their issues as a family over time, rather than on an individual basis.

Denise Reynolds, Kaiwhakahaere for the National Collective of Independent Women's Refuges says Women's Refuge has an existing strategy, Mauri Tau, which has been implemented successfully throughout Aotearoa for the past three years. Ms Reynolds says, "The five Refuges selected by the Family Violence Whānau Ora Fund are already committed to this holistic approach, which builds on the strengths within families and whānau."

She says, "The journey of moving from crisis towards a violence-free life takes courage and the support of whole communities. The most successful long-term outcomes are achieved by those whānau and families who are able to take personal or collective responsibility for change. While we cannot make this journey for them, we can walk alongside and help to keep them safe along the way."

The five Refuges were:

Whare Timatanga Hou Ora Kaitaia Women's Refuge Te Puna o te Aroha Maori Women's Refuge (Whangarei) Pacific Island Women's Refuge (Auckland) Te Whakaruruhau Maori Women's Refuge (Hamilton) Te Whare Pounamu Dunedin

Women's Refuge is New Zealand's largest family violence organisation, with a valued history of providing comprehensive services for women and children.