Hikitia! invites storytellers and artists to join the next phase of Ordinary Wonders in 2026. Amateur and established artists, will be paired with “ordinary wonders” stories written by community members. Artworks will be exhibited at Refinery ArtSpace and gifted back to storytellers.

Jared* started sharing he was “going through a bit of s#$t”, and suddenly his mates also began opening up.

RISE is offering new peer support programmes for those who have experienced sexual harm.

Evaluations from RISE participants in 2024 -2025 show after working with RISE, people feel and are safer, acquire practical self-regulation tools, strengthen relationships, and develop the insight needed to disrupt intergenerational violence.

RISE is developing and deepening its cultural confidence as a Tangata Tiriti organisation. We are working with Thirdspace Aotearoa for a second year to uphold the mana of te ao Māori in our mahi and apply Te Tiriti-led practice.

RISE has officially partnered with leading Australian workplace trainer Be There Group.

Working with RISE has helped a mother control her anger and transformed her relationship with her toddler.

The mahi (work) is underway at Hikitia! with the five new roles created at RISE through a new ACC contract now filled.

For RISE clinician Marissa working in the Family Violence sphere and working at RISE is professionally where she wants to be.

Serving the Motueka community feels like a homecoming for RISE Clinician Michelle Thurlow who first came to Motueka as a 16-year-old disengaged with school.

Gemma was a young mum of three who struggled with her anger. Getting help at RISE for her anger was life-changing, she says. She shares her courageous journey.

One of RISE’s strengths is that it can work with a whole family – parents and children - to support safer homes and foster intergenerational change.

RISE Clinicians are adept at understanding what a family needs and realise that for change to happen sometimes the whole family unit might need help and support.

RISE has been awarded a contract to run 30 workshops to MSD staff throughout New Zealand.

Senior Clinician/Practice Lead Joelene Whitfield will help run the four-hour long workshops around New Zealand.

RISE clinician Lara Buswell is sharing her specialist knowledge teaching a paper on Family Violence to social work and counselling students at NMIT/Te Pukenga.

“When I look back now, the signs are so clear. Even from our very first conversation.”

RISE’s Motueka office has a “homey feeling” that can play a role in helping clients feel safe and open to change.

Ever thought about why we lose control or lose our temper? Learn about the red/green brain concept and understanding stress response.

Why we have needed to use a waitlist for new adult and child clients and what we're doing to shorten it.

Joelene Whitfield recently celebrated 15 years working at RISE. Recently we sat down and asked her to reflect on her career. She talked about memorable clients, why she continues to do this important work every day, and a text she recently received that filled her with hope.

Becoming a family violence specialist means walking a long and windy path. RISE’s Kimberley is on that path now. Read about her experience starting with RISE and learning how to work with people who use violence.