In February 2014 an innovative, social impact start-up called ‘RAW’ (Reclaim Another Woman) set sail on its quest to break New Zealand’s ever-growing cycle of intergenerational offending, educational underachievement, persistent poverty and violence for a group of disadvantaged women.

Our Kaupapa has always been about providing opportunity and choice where there hasn’t been any. Using the vehicle of inclusion, community, and opportunity, together with the values of pono, tika and aroha, we are building hope, purpose and prosperity, one mother at a time. We are creating mana wahine.

RAW’s comprehensive support model involves the provision of safe accommodation, mentoring and community partnerships that enable each parolee to gain an education, find meaningful employment, rebuild relationships with children and family, and ultimately achieve emotional and financial and prosperity.

In 2018, we launched RAW On the Inside at Auckland Regional Women’s Corrections Facility in an effort to create a culture of hope and ambition for a better future earlier in a woman’s rehabilitation journey. Our efforts to date include the introduction of weekly lifestyle and education programmes that provide a stepping stone to more structured and vocational learning opportunities that are also in train.