About us
Kapiti Living Without Violence is an organisation dedicated to the prevention of violence in our communities. We provide programs, resources and support to help people live free from violence and abuse. We have stood against family violence since 1989, when our organisation was formed.
Our Vision
Enabling people to live safe and respectful lives free from violence and abuse.
Our Mission
To champion safe relationships by providing educational and counselling services to stop or prevent violence in the home and community.
Mauri Ora
Safe and flourishing whānau and communities.
Our values
Manaakitanga
We care for others
We welcome people into our space with a smile, hongi, hug, handshake. We can start with karakia or prayer or something of your choosing. We offer tea, coffee or water.
Whanaungatanga
We all belong here
We create a safe space where ko wai ahau and ‘the self’ can be explored and affirmed. We take time to explain our process, confidentiality and health and safety, so there are no surprises.
Kotahitanga
We share experiences together
We know that our clients are experts in their own lives and we listen to their experiences and trauma. Working with them, we seek possibilities for change.
Kaitiakitanga
We offer support
We recognise and support the needs of each client. We use a strengths-based approach to help people see the potential for change so they can move forward.
Rangitiratanga
We take responsibility
We promote mana-enhancing ways to address unhelpful behaviours. We explore the power people have to change these for good.
Our Kaupapa in Practice
We guide our clients over the pūreirei (stepping stones) to help them work towards a life free of violence and abuse. We help them to walk this path with acceptance, aroha and our trauma-informed practice. This supports people to make the changes that they and their whānau need to see and experience.
By the numbers
30+ years operating across the Kapiti region
Over 1,000 reports of family violence in Kapiti last year
Mens program referrals in 2024
Womens program referrals in 2024
Our history
Kapiti Living Without Violence was founded in 1989 by some counsellors who wanted to stop the violence in our whānau and community. They began by providing a non-violence group program for men. Over the years, Kapiti Living Without Violence became an accredited provider of non-violence services for the Ministry of Justice and Department of Corrections. With funding from the Ministry of Social Development we were able to offer free counselling to people in the community seeking help. We also started to offer Safety Programs for the victim/survivors of family violence. Since 2023, we have also been a lead agency for managing the co-ordinated response to incidents of family violence across Kapiti. In 2025 we were awarded the Ministry of Social Development contract to provide a ‘Sustaining Men’s Behaviour Change’ program across the Kapiti Coast District.
Thanks to our Funders
We would like to acknowledge the collaboration and support of our funding agencies. These organisations enable us to provide free programs and counselling services to people in need.
