What is Happening at Shine

If a partner or ex-partner is controlling and abusing someone, it may be impossible for them to find safety and freedom without support and advocacy from others.

You can help a victim get safe and stay safe. Your donation can give them the advice and options they need to find safety.

Shine advocates help with practical support and work with other agencies to coordinate services and advocate on a victim's behalf. The pandemic has created terrible conditions for domestic violence. Our Advocate Team Leader says it's the "most horrific violence" she's seen in two decades. We need your support to help as many high-risk victims as possible. 

>> Please give today << 

From March 2021, Women’s Refuge Responsive Workplaces Programme and Accreditation will be merging with Shine’s DVFREE Programme and DVFREE Tick Accreditation. The merged programme will run under the banner of DVFREE, with the endorsement of Women’s Refuge. 

This merger eliminates unnecessary duplication of services, within a specialist sector which continues to be significantly under-resourced for addressing the epidemic of family violence in Aotearoa New Zealand.

DVFREE support can help to ensure that:

• Your employees who experience domestic violence are offered the most effective workplace support and safety possible, including a referral to specialist services that may be Women’s Refuge, Shine or another specialist provider. 
• Your workplace is prepared to respond appropriately and safely to employees who perpetrate domestic violence, and
• All of your employees know what to do if they’re aware that a colleague is experiencing or perpetrating domestic violence

Suncorp New Zealand was awarded the DVFREE Tick from Shine this week, joining a growing number of employers committed to a workplace free from domestic violence. 

Suncorp New Zealand’s worked with Shine to achieve the DVFREE Tick by developing training and support to ensure employees are equipped to support colleagues affected by domestic violence, and to help those experiencing domestic violence feel safe and supported at work.

“Domestic violence is not tolerated at Suncorp New Zealand, and I hope that our ongoing collaboration with Shine and the DVFREE Tick programme will make it easier for employees affected by domestic violence to raise their voice and ask for help,” says Catherine Dixon, Suncorp New Zealand Executive General Manager People and Culture.

“As an employer, we can support our people when we know about the things that might be impacting their health and wellbeing. For employees, a workplace should be a safe place of refuge, and a place where employees know who to go to and feel confident they will be supported when they need help.” 

She says with an increase in flexible working, and the recurring lockdowns and self-isolation requirements due to Covid-19, increasingly an employee’s home is their workplace.  “With specialist support from Shine, we are able to provide our people with a work environment where those affected by domestic violence are able to and feel supported to speak up, are treated with dignity and empathy, and where safety and privacy is protected.” 

“Suncorp have made a significant commitment to addressing the issue of domestic violence, with corporate sponsorship and staff fundraising for Shine for the last several years, and also now with support being provided for their own people impacted by domestic violence. We are so proud to be a Suncorp community partner,” says Shine’s General Manager Sally Ward. 

Suncorp is the 15th employer awarded the DVFREE Tick, with more currently working towards this accreditation. Hundreds more employers have engaged with DVFREE training and policy consultation services, and well over one thousand have downloaded the DVFREE Guidelines for Policy and Procedures.

ALERT LEVEL 3 (AUCKLAND) 15 February, 2021: Shine, and all NZ domestic violence and sexual violence crisis response services, are operating at Alert Level 3. This means:

You can ring our Helpline for domestic violence information and support for yourself, or advice about helping someone you know, at 0508-744-633. This number is answered 7 days a week, 9am to 11pm. If it is busy, please ring back. You can also chat to a Shine helpline advisor via webchat on our website 2shine.org.nz  Click here to find out more about how we can help you.

NOTE: If there is an emergency, and someone is being hurt or threatened, ring Police on 111. If it's not safe to speak, ring 111 then when the operator answers, stay silent and push 55 on a mobile (or push any number on a landline phone) to be put through to Police.

If you need to contact Shine, please call 0508-744-633. The Shine Kingsland office is open for contactless drop offs between 9am and 4pm.

We will update this page with further information about access, services and office hours, so please check back daily. 

Refuge/safe house accommodation for women and children escaping domestic violence is still available throughout the country. Ring our Helpline for more information.

If you have questions about how to access our services, please ring the Helpline 0508-744-633.

Go here to read about help and support throughout NZ for family violence on the Government COVID-19 website.

Go here to read more about how to help someone you know.

• It's Not OK info line: 0800 456 450 - 9am to 11pm every day
• Women's Refuge crisis line: 0800 733 843 - 24/7
• Hey Bro helpline: 0800 Hey Bro (439 276) for men who feel they’re going to harm a loved one or whanau member - 24/7

TRIGGER WARNING: Video shows domestic violence and assault

This award winning video was produced by Noleen Natasha Dayal Mrs Universe New Zealand 2021. Based on true events, this powerful video presents an experience of domestic violence and the thoughts of a victim/survivor.

Produced with actors there is no extreme violence and no one was harmed in the making of the video. However, it may be upsetting for some people so viewer discretion is advised.

“This is for everyone out there who faces violence everyday but doesn't have the strength to walk away.” - Noleen Natasha Dayal

Mitre 10 have converted an old shed at a Shine refuge into a kennel for housing up to three dogs.

In June last year, Mitre 10 called for nominations of community DIY projects across New Zealand that needed makeovers or a helping hand as part of its new Mitre 10 Helping Hands programme and asked Kiwis to vote. Shine’s kennel project was one of two chosen out of 250 entries. 

With only one other refuge in New Zealand accepting animals, this project will make a significant difference for those needing to escape unsafe situations, says Shine’s acting General Manager Sally Ward.

 “Our clients say that their pets are an important part of the family, as well as their emotional support and many will stay in an unsafe situation because they cannot leave their pets behind. This project means that they don’t have to.”

Thank you to the team from Mitre 10 and everyone who voted for Shine’s kennel project!

Come along to our quiz night
at The Kingslander

with the talented and funny Laura Daniel as your MC.

Come and enjoy a Pub Quiz evening, with a drink on arrival, drink specials and a silent auction on the night with all proceeds going to Shine.

The event will open at 7.00pm with the Quiz starting at 7.30pm, so please make sure you enter with plenty of time.

It will be held upstairs at The Kingslander. Tables will be from 4-8 people, so please book as a group or under one booking name. Numbers are limited so book via Eventbrite soon!

A big thanks to The Kingslander and all our sponsors for helping us make this happen.

Location: The Kingslander - 470 New North Road, Kingsland, Auckland 1021
Tickets are $25 on Eventbrite and include a drink on arrival
Doors open 7pm
Event starts 7:30pm

Buy tickets here.

Important update: Shine’s popular Light it Orange campaign is being moved to 6 – 12 June 2021. Shine’s Community Fundraiser Carol Herbert says it will give everyone more time to plan and prepare.

We’re looking forward to turning the month of June orange. Watch this space for details!
If you’re holding an event between now and June, please contact Carol Herbert (carolh@2shine.co.nz). I’m more than happy to help where I can. 

Join Team Shine for Ports of Auckland Round the Bays 2021 to shine a light on domestic violence. 

Round the Bays is a fun run but for our more competitive supporters, we have Shine’s 'Champions of Change' challenge… see details below. 

If you’re ready to run domestic violence out of town then join us:

1. Register to participate in Round the Bays here. To get 20% off your entry fee, drop Carol a line for a promo code at carolh@2shine.org.nz, but be quick - these are strictly limited! You can enter as an individual or create a team page to run, jog or walk with your family, friends or workmates along 8.4km of Auckland’s stunning waterfront. 

2. Create your own Grassrootz fundraising page by going to the Team Shine page and select 'Start Fundraising'. When you join Team Shine, you'll have access to awesome resources and support for your fundraising. 

• Shine's support crew cheering you loudly and proudly 
• Post-run hospitality and celebration with the Shine team - including BBQ! 

Every $250 raised can change the life of a family by covering the cost of a Shine advocate’s urgent callout to a family after an arrest. You’ll be saving lives with every dollar raised. Our target for Team Shine in this year’s Round the Bays is $30,000, which will help us support over 120 families!  

Become Champions of Change 

Challenge our current 'Champions of Change' Bell Gully, for the 2021 title and trophy by taking part in Round the Bays for Shine. The trophy will be awarded to the team (or individual) with the highest points on 21st March.

So how do you earn points?

• 1 point for every dollar raised
• 200 points for the best social media post*
• 250 points to the second best orange team on the day **
• 300 points to the best dressed orange team on the day **

*To be considered for the 'best social media post' you have to follow Shine on Facebook (shinenz) or Instagram (2shine_nz), tag Shine and use the hashtag #ShineRTB2021.

** Photos to be sent to Shine before 13 March 2021. 

If you have any questions, contact Carol on 021 923 548 or carolh@2shine.org.nz .  

Download an editable poster for your office and teams to promote your event: 

Round the Bays 2021 editable poster A4 (1304 KB)

If Round the Bays has to be cancelled or there are concerns with any Team Shine members, we would ask everyone to complete the 8.4km around their local area at their own convenience, while adhering to any government covid-19 restrictions during the weeks following 28th February. We will look into asking participants to send in photos and timings and also update everyone who has donated