Vine Quick Reads: 25 September 2026

Vine Quick Reads: 25 September 2026

Welcome to our Quick Reads format. Each week we share selected news bites relevant to family violence and sexual violence in Aotearoa.

Public Inquiry into the Disappearances of the Phillips Children released

The report on the Public Inquiry into the Disappearance of the Phillips Children I He Pakirehua Tūmatanui ki te Ngaronga o ngā Tamariki o te whānau Phillips (2026) has been released. The Inquiry focused on whether government agencies took all practicable steps to protect the welfare and safety of the Phillips children and to find and recover them upon their disappearance. For more, see the government press releases and coverage from RNZ and The Guardian.

New report on family violence and sexual violence service accessibility in Aotearoa

Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora | Ministry of Social Development has released a new report: Improving access to family and sexual violence services: key insights from the MSD accessibility fund (2026). This report provides an overview of four initiatives undertaken as part of the Accessibility Fund – a time-limited work programme aimed at improving the accessibility of FVSV services for disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori – as well as key learnings and suggestions for future opportunities to improve accessibility.

Police improve process for Family Violence Information Disclosure Scheme (FVIDS)

You can now request a disclosure under the Police’s Family Violence Information Disclosure Scheme using a single form online. The scheme enables people who are concerned about their safety in a relationship, or who have concerns about someone else’s safety, to request the family violence history of their partner. Applicants do not need to have already experienced violence to make a request. People unable to complete the online form may still make a request at a local Police station or by calling the Police non-emergency number, 105.

Updated Relationships and Sexuality Curriculum released

Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga | Ministry of Education has released the updated New Zealand Curriculum for Years 0 to 10. The Curriculum’s relationships and sexuality component can be found within the Health and Physical Education section and covers topics such as consent, inclusive communities, sexual health and sexual relationships. Supplementary documents are available to download alongside the curriculum, including the conceptual mapping of the curriculum and the analysis of the consultation feedback.

Human Rights Commission launch “Where We Belong”, a campaign celebrating belonging, combatting division

Te Kāhui Tika Tangata | Human Rights Commission have launched Where We Belong, a campaign celebrating stories of belonging and building awareness of tactics used to manipulate and divide communities. The campaign includes stories highlighting the diverse experiences, identities, and journeys that contribute to life in Aotearoa. Prebunking resources are also available to help build recognition of and resilience against fearmongering, scapegoating and false dichotomies.

United Nations call for input on maternal mortality and morbidity

The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has issued a call for input on the Implementation of the update to the technical guidance on the application of a human rights-based approach to the elimination of preventable maternal mortality and morbidity. OHCHR will compile and analyse examples of best practices emerging from this consultation to present to the Human Rights Council in September 2027. A list of key questions, types of input sought, and submission instructions are available at the link above.

Call for input deadline: 17 November 2026.