Ruahine Albert

Ruahine Albert
QSM JP
Albert in 2012
NationalityNew Zealand
Other namesRoni Albert
Known forAnti-Domestic violence activism

Ruahine "Roni" Albert QSM JP is New Zealand anti-domestic violence activist of Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Tūwharetoa 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 and Diamond Jubilee Honours.[10]

  1. ^ "Honours: Ruahine Albert and Ariana Simpson". Hamilton News. 16 June 2012. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  2. ^ "Ruahine Albert".
  3. ^ [email protected]. "A sister to lean on".
  4. ^ [email protected]. "Māori Reference Group". Archived from the original on 30 October 2014.
  5. ^ "Somewhere to hide". Stuff.
  6. ^ "Women's Refuge". womensrefuge.org.nz. Archived from the original on 30 October 2014. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  7. ^ "Māori designed, developed and delivered initiatives to reduce Māori offending and re-offending".
  8. ^ "Te Whakaruruhau Maori Women's Refuge, Hamilton - Opening of their new whare". beehive.govt.nz. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  9. ^ "Refuges launch fax attack over Maori child abuse stats". The New Zealand Herald.
  10. ^ "Queen's Birthday Honours List 2012". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 4 June 2012. Archived from the original on 4 June 2012. Retrieved 2 November 2014.