New Support For Whānau At Kaitāia Family Court

Whānau going through the Family Court in Kaitāia can now get extra support through a new service called Te Atatuhi.

Te Atatuhi is run by two local kaupapa Māori organisations, Tuhiata Mahiora and Te Whare Ruruhau o Meri Trust. Their support workers, known as Kairāranga, will work alongside the Ministry of Justice’s Family Court Navigators (Kaiārahi) to help whānau before, during and after their time in the Family Court. This includes explaining what is happening, preparing for hearings and connecting whānau with the support they need to heal and move forward.

The service was celebrated at a whakanuia at Kā Uri Cafe in Kaitāia on Wednesday 30 September 2026 that was attended by Chief District Court Judge Heemi Taumaunu. It will initially operate from Kaitāia District Court while work continues on a community-based venue for some Family Court hearings.

‘An important step’ – Chief District Court Judge

Judge Taumaunu paid tribute to the relationship with Te Hiku whānau and to everyone who helped bring the service to life.

“Te Atatuhi is a new Family Court wraparound support service that will help court users, their whānau and the wider community to better engage with the Family Court in Kaitāia.

“It is part of the District Court’s Te Ao Mārama – Enhancing Justice for All initiative and has been developed thanks to the support and stewardship of Te Hiku iwi chairs, followed by collaboration between Tuhiata Mahiora, Te Whare Ruruhau o Meri Trust, local judges and court staff, the Ministry of Justice and the Oi Collective to design and implement the service.

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“Te Atatuhi is an important step in helping court participants, including victims and whānau, to better understand and participate in proceedings that affect them.

“The service builds on the introduction of specialist Family Court lists for care and protection and family violence cases and complements further work under way to establish an alternative venue for Family Court hearings away from the courthouse.

“The relationship agreement between Tuhiata Mahiora, Te Whare Ruruhau o Meri Trust and the Ministry of Justice reflects a shared commitment to continuing this collaboration for the benefit of those who engage with the Family Court in Kaitāia.”

From conflict to conciliation: a vision since 1978

In 1978 the Royal Commission on the Courts, known as the Beattie Commission, called for a new kind of Family Court. It would respond to family harm and relationship breakdown through conciliation, healing and social support, rather than an adversarial fight between parties. The Family Court was established in 1981 with that hope at its heart.

Te Hiku whānau have said that, too often, the reality has felt very different: confusing, stressful and something that happens to them rather than with them. Te Ao Mārama, and now Te Atatuhi, aim to close that gap and bring the Family Court closer to its original purpose.

How it fits together

Te Atatuhi is the latest step in a journey that started at the national level and was shaped locally:

1. Te Ao Mārama (“into the light”) is the national kaupapa led by Chief District Court Judge Taumaunu to make courts places where people feel seen, heard and supported.
2. The Te Ao Mārama ki Te Hiku o Te Ika Action Plan is Te Hiku’s own plan for bringing that kaupapa to life. It was built from community meetings and whānau voice workshops.
3. Te Atatuhi is the new service delivering one of the plan’s first priorities: wraparound support for whānau in the Family Court.

Built by Te Hiku, for Te Hiku

The journey began four years ago, when Judge Taumaunu met the iwi chairs of Te Hiku. That hui ended with a shared commitment to improve the experiences of whānau in the Family Court. Since then, the iwi of Te Hiku, Te Hiku o Te Ika Iwi Development Trust (THIDT), the Ministry of Justice and community partners have worked together through the Te Hiku Social Accord, and have worked together with the judiciary, to turn whānau voice into action.

“We see this as a positive next step in the work of the Te Hiku Social Accord and the commitments from the Ministry of Justice to our whānau on what works best for their needs and aspirations,” says THIDT Chair Roberta Grbich.

“Our role in the Te Hiku Social Accord is to continue to inform and support the effective Crown–Iwi partnership to deliver on whānau needs and aspirations. We will do whatever we can to support our services, the efforts of the Ministry of Justice and the court system to bring to life the Te Ao Mārama ki Te Hiku o Te Ika Action Plan,” says THIDT Chief Executive Carol Berghan.

Two trusted local providers

Te Atatuhi brings together two organisations that already work side-by-side and know Te Hiku whānau and the court system well. A relationship agreement with the Ministry of Justice now formalises their commitment to Te Atatuhi.

Tuhiata Mahiora is a Kaitāia-based trust that provides social, mental health and addiction services to whānau in Te Tai Tokerau. It is also the restorative justice provider for Kaitāia District Court.

Te Whare Ruruhau o Meri Trust takes its name from the idea of a sanctuary: a house of shelter and a source of comfort for those who need a safe place. It has deep experience in helping whānau recover from family harm.

“Being able to offer Te Atatuhi to our whānau here in Te Hiku is a privilege, and we will deliver it in a way that’s grounded in manaakitanga so people feel supported and safe through the court process,” says Marihi Langford, Chief Executive of Tuhiata Mahiora.

“At Te Whare we know that engaging with the justice system is a challenging experience for whānau. Te Atatuhi creates an opportunity for whānau to be met with dignity, compassion and practical support at a critical time in their lives. We are privileged to work alongside our partners to ensure whānau are seen, heard and supported throughout their journey,” says Elizabeth Walker, Chief Executive of Te Whare Ruruhau o Meri Trust.

What this means for whānau

If you or your whānau have a Family Court matter in Kaitāia, you can ask for support from Te Atatuhi. It is there to help you understand your case, prepare for court and connect with the right help afterwards. The service is open to everyone, whoever you are and wherever you are from.

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