A nationwide movement that began in Nelson and has trained more than 93,000 advocates to recognise and respond early to signs of child abuse has been awarded the New Zealand Community of the Year 2026.
Safeguarding Children CEO Willow Duffy accepted the award at the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards ceremony, reflecting on how the initiative has grown to have far-reaching impact around Aotearoa after starting “as an idea over a cup of coffee with three nurses and a detective.”
“Recognising that the rates of child abuse in New Zealand was one of the biggest public health issues, we put this idea together that we could inspire people to speak up for children, do the best for them and take steps to protect our tamariki not just in their homes but in their communities and places children go,” Duffy said.
Duffy said what continues to motivate her are the harrowing stories of child abuse, such as those from The Abuse in Care, Royal Commission of Inquiry, and firsthand accounts where the opportunities for adults to step in and prevent abuse are strikingly apparent, yet not taken.
“Protecting our precious taonga, our nation’s tamariki, is everyone’s responsibility. Safeguarding Children will continue to advocate for better safeguards to prevent abuse in New Zealand, as well as equip people with the knowledge and tools to step in and do the right thing.”
Duffy said she is humbled by the recognition the award brings. “The team behind the initiative make me so proud every day. We are supported by an incredible voluntary board who work so hard to give their time and make it happen, and sponsors who donate so we can do this work.
“We are also incredibly grateful to the Nelson Tasman community, where this work began, for their support from the very beginning.
“Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”
Duffy said she hopes the recognition will help draw further attention to New Zealand’s shocking record of child abuse and support calls for change. “It requires a collective response from all levels to prevent abuse and create change for our vulnerable tamariki. Our work is far from done.”
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