What is Happening at Shine

If a partner or ex-partner is controlling and abusing someone, it may be impossible for them to find safety and freedom without support and advocacy from others.

You can help a victim get safe and stay safe. Your donation can give them the advice and options they need to find safety.

Shine advocates help with practical support and work with other agencies to coordinate services and advocate on a victim's behalf. The pandemic has created terrible conditions for domestic violence. Our Advocate Team Leader says it's the "most horrific violence" she's seen in two decades. We need your support to help as many high-risk victims as possible. 

>> Please give today << 

Mitre 10 have converted an old shed at a Shine refuge into a kennel for housing up to three dogs.

In June last year, Mitre 10 called for nominations of community DIY projects across New Zealand that needed makeovers or a helping hand as part of its new Mitre 10 Helping Hands programme and asked Kiwis to vote. Shine’s kennel project was one of two chosen out of 250 entries. 

With only one other refuge in New Zealand accepting animals, this project will make a significant difference for those needing to escape unsafe situations, says Shine’s acting General Manager Sally Ward.

 “Our clients say that their pets are an important part of the family, as well as their emotional support and many will stay in an unsafe situation because they cannot leave their pets behind. This project means that they don’t have to.”

Thank you to the team from Mitre 10 and everyone who voted for Shine’s kennel project!

Come along to our quiz night
at The Kingslander

with the talented and funny Laura Daniel as your MC.

Come and enjoy a Pub Quiz evening, with a drink on arrival, drink specials and a silent auction on the night with all proceeds going to Shine.

The event will open at 7.00pm with the Quiz starting at 7.30pm, so please make sure you enter with plenty of time.

It will be held upstairs at The Kingslander. Tables will be from 4-8 people, so please book as a group or under one booking name. Numbers are limited so book via Eventbrite soon!

A big thanks to The Kingslander and all our sponsors for helping us make this happen.

Location: The Kingslander - 470 New North Road, Kingsland, Auckland 1021
Tickets are $25 on Eventbrite and include a drink on arrival
Doors open 7pm
Event starts 7:30pm

Buy tickets here.

Important update: Shine’s popular Light it Orange campaign is being moved to May in 2021. Shine’s Community Fundraiser Carol Herbert say it will give everyone more time to plan and prepare.

We’re looking forward to turning the month of May orange. Watch this space for details!
If you’re holding an event between now and May, please contact Carol Herbert. I’m more than happy to help where I can. 

Join Team Shine for Ports of Auckland Round the Bays 2021 to shine a light on domestic violence. 

Round the Bays is a fun run but for our more competitive supporters, we have Shine’s 'Champions of Change' challenge… see details below. 

If you’re ready to run domestic violence out of town then join us:

1. Register to participate in Round the Bays here. To get 20% off your entry fee, drop Carol a line for a promo code at carolh@2shine.org.nz, but be quick - these are strictly limited! You can enter as an individual or create a team page to run, jog or walk with your family, friends or workmates along 8.4km of Auckland’s stunning waterfront. 

2. Create your own Grassrootz fundraising page by going to the Team Shine page and select 'Start Fundraising'. When you join Team Shine, you'll have access to awesome resources and support for your fundraising. 

• Shine's support crew cheering you loudly and proudly 
• Post-run hospitality and celebration with the Shine team - including BBQ! 

Every $250 raised can change the life of a family by covering the cost of a Shine advocate’s urgent callout to a family after an arrest. You’ll be saving lives with every dollar raised. Our target for Team Shine in this year’s Round the Bays is $30,000, which will help us support over 120 families!  

Become Champions of Change 

Challenge our current 'Champions of Change' Bell Gully, for the 2021 title and trophy by taking part in Round the Bays for Shine. The trophy will be awarded to the team (or individual) with the highest points on 21st March.

So how do you earn points?

• 1 point for every dollar raised
• 200 points for the best social media post*
• 250 points to the second best orange team on the day **
• 300 points to the best dressed orange team on the day **

*To be considered for the 'best social media post' you have to follow Shine on Facebook (shinenz) or Instagram (2shine_nz), tag Shine and use the hashtag #ShineRTB2021.

** Photos to be sent to Shine before 13 March 2021. 

If you have any questions, contact Carol on 021 923 548 or carolh@2shine.org.nz .  

Download an editable poster for your office and teams to promote your event: 

Round the Bays 2021 editable poster A4 (1304 KB)

If Round the Bays has to be cancelled or there are concerns with any Team Shine members, we would ask everyone to complete the 8.4km around their local area at their own convenience, while adhering to any government covid-19 restrictions during the weeks following 28th February. We will look into asking participants to send in photos and timings and also update everyone who has donated

During the latest lockdown in Auckland,  Shine saw unprecedented demand for its services and a rise in the most severe violence. Shine staff talk about what they're dealing with on the frontline:

Watch: Domestic violence increase during Auckland’s Alert Level 3 sees unprecedented demand for refuges, 1News, August 2020

Read: Domestic violence increases rapidly in New Zealand - strangulation, beatings 'commonplace' in 2020, NZ Herald, September 2020

Recent research by The Backbone Collective has highlighted the lack of long term support for survivors of domestic violence. Shine’s Holly Carrington talked to STUFF and RNZ about why it’s so hard for victims to leave.

Read: I was a shell of a human': Why family violence victims don't just leave, stuff.co.nz, August 2020

Listen: Study on how difficult it is for domestic violence victims to leave, RNZ’s The Panel, August 2020

As part of Techweek NZ  2020, panellists including Shine's own Kara-dee Morden discussed the role of technology in domestic abuse and how technology organisations can design and develop safer digital environments.

View the panel discussion on Play Stuff: Empower through design: how technology and design can combat domestic violence (30 mins)

Shine’s Holly Carrington also spoke to the Herald about technology-facilitated abuse: The dark side of smart technology: Enabling domestic abuse, NZ Herald, 29 July 2020

In the above media, IBM’s Lesley Nuttall outlines specific principles to employ in designing technology to make it resistant to being used as a tool for abuse. If you or someone you know is experiencing technology-facilitated abuse and you are seeking support, please read on:

If you’re a victim of this type of abuse it’s important to know:

• It is not your fault. No one deserves to have their life restricted and choices taken away from them to keep someone else from abusing them.
• You don’t have to go through this alone. Trust your instincts and seek help. For more information see safe use of technology and/or phone 0508 744 633 for advice.

If you’re seeking for ways to support someone else, remember:

• Understand that people experiencing abuse will be doing things to keep themselves safe. Respect their experience.
• Listen, don’t give advice before hearing their experience; don’t blame the victim.
• Keep checking in; the situation will not change overnight.
• Seek advice from Netsafe and Shine. See safe use of technology.
• If the issues are at work, consider looking into how to make your workplace a safer environment. Visit the DVFREE website for more information.

Technology can also be used as a tool to keep you safe and sane:

• Connect with safe people for support
• Look up information and develop safety plans
• Collect evidence of abuse.

If you're unsure of what to do or who to turn to, please call Shine's helpline 0508 744 633 (open daily, 9am-11pm).

During lockdown did you:

• go for regular walks or runs? Do you want to keep your motivation going now we've returned to normal(ish) life and it's so much colder?, or
• put on a few lockdown kilos due to spending all that time at home, or eating all the baking your family did? Looking for motivation to work off the extra kilos?

We can help you with that.

Join Team Shine for this year’s Auckland Marathon on Sunday 1st November and raise funds to support victims of domestic violence. Run or walk 12km, 21km or 42km.

Set up an online fundraising page. Be part of the solution and help victims of domestic violence get safe and stay safe.

Shine's Community Fundraiser Carol Herbert signed up to Team Shine for the 2019 Auckland Marathon, to walk the half-marathon distance of 21km.

"Joining Team Shine was definitely a motivator as I wanted to use the opportunity to make a difference in my community. It motivated me to fundraise and also to train so I didn’t let down family and friends who donated to my Shine cause. It was amazing walking over the Auckland Harbour Bridge and crossing that finish line was a huge achievement. I would encourage you to give it a go this year."

Please contact Carol if you have any questions or would love to sign up. Email carolh@2shine.org.nz