Ruahine Albert

Ruahine Albert
QSM JP
Residence Hamilton, New Zealand
Nationality New Zealand
Other names Roni
Organization Women's Refuge
Known for Anti-Domestic violence activism

Ruahine "Roni" Albert QSM JP is New Zealand anti-domestic violence activist of Ngāti Maniapoto, Tuwharetoa and Tainui descent.[1]

Albert was co-founder (with Ariana Simpson) of Te Whakaruruhau in Hamilton, the first Māori Women's Refuge, in 1987. Still active with Te Whakaruruhau, Albert also has had roles with Child, Youth and Family, Work and Income and Housing New Zealand.[2][3][4]

Now a multi-site refuge, Te Whakaruruhau operates a whānau facility which works closely with the Te Ao Marama Unit at Waikeria Prison and focuses on reintegration of offenders and reduction of reoffending.[5][6][7] The whānau facility was opened by MP Tariana Turia.[8]

In 2000, Albert and national Women's Refuge head, Merepeka Raukawa-Tait clashed with Māori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia over the perceived down-playing of domestic violence in the Māori community.[9]

Albert was awarded the Queen's Service Medal for services to Māori and the community in the 2012 Queen's Birthday Honours.[10]

References

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 7/10/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.