From community advocates to national leaders: How a passionate team transformed Child Protection Training in Aotearoa New Zealand
How Safeguarding Children came to be
Born from a profound need for child protection training in Aotearoa New Zealand, Safeguarding Children emerged in 2011 as the brainchild of three community nurses and a detective from Nelson’s local child protection team.
With extensive frontline expertise in child protection and violence prevention, they identified lack of training as a significant barrier to protecting children and a contributing factor to Aotearoa New Zealand’s alarming child abuse and neglect records.
Recognising the crucial role of community engagement in addressing this issue, they established Safeguarding Children as a registered charity, backed by a dedicated Board and funded through philanthropic trusts. Balancing this noble initiative alongside their demanding day jobs, they managed to garner support from like-minded individuals and organisations.
Where Safeguarding Children is now
By 2014, demand for our services had grown to the point where a dedicated team member was needed to carry the work forward. Today, Safeguarding Children is a well-established and respected charity.
We continue our work through fee-paying services, grants and donations, with team members based in Nelson, Christchurch, Wellington, Tauranga, Auckland and across Aotearoa New Zealand. Collaboration and partnership are central to how we create meaningful, lasting change.
At the heart of Safeguarding Children’s success is our practical approach to this emotionally charged subject. Our services and training are delivered by passionate experts in child safeguarding, turning our collective empathy into tangible action.
Recognised nationally
In 2026, Safeguarding Children was named the New Zealand Community of the Year at the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards. This national recognition reflects the impact of our work and the collective effort to strengthen safeguarding practice and better protect children across Aotearoa.
It acknowledges the many people, organisations and communities who are part of this work and committed to creating safer environments for children.
Our Values are at the heart of what WE do!
At Safeguarding Children, our values are at the heart of what we do. They guide our journey and nurture a culture committed to the safety and well-being of children.
We are committed to:
- We Are Brave – fearlessly navigate challenges to unlock new possibilities
- We Work With Integrity – ensuring respect and honesty in every interaction
- We Are Accountable – take ownership and deliver on promises
- We Are Innovative – push boundaries and embrace change
- We Foster Respectful Relationships – recognise the significance of diversity, power of inclusivity and teamwork
Together, we are dedicated to making meaningful change!
Commitment Statement to
Te Tiriti o Waitangi
Our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi
We are Tangata Te Tiriti and are doing the following in our practice:
- Tikanga practices.
- Te ao Māori education at staff and board meetings.
- Relationships with local iwi.
- Our training content has been developed in line with Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and thus discusses impacts of colonisation and upholds Mātauranga.
We are on a journey and all working towards the same goal; to reflect the true intention of the te Tiriti o Waitangi in all we do.
Together, We Can Make a Difference
Become a supporter and change the lives of the children of Aotearoa.