Shakti, a not-for-profit community organisation, is celebrating 30 years of service to New Zealand’s migrant and refugee communities this year.
The milestone will be marked with a series of events beginning October 22, reflecting on the organisation’s journey and achievements since its founding in 1995.
The first event will be held at Parliament on October 22, reserved for invited guests. A charity dinner will follow on October 25, with tickets available via email at shakti.anniversary@shakti.org.nz. On October 24, Shakti’s regional centres will host open celebrations with cake and refreshments for stakeholders and community well-wishers.
Over the past three decades, Shakti has grown into a nationwide network offering five culturally sensitive women’s refuges, a 24/7 crisis line (0800 SHAKTI), more than ten drop-in centres, and a range of counselling, safety, and life-skills programmes.
Shakti aims to provide a strong national organisational structure focused on delivering intervention services for migrant and refugee women, young women, and children from Asian, African, and Middle Eastern backgrounds in Aotearoa New Zealand.
As the peak body and specialised lead organisation for domestic violence prevention and intervention within these communities, Shakti strives to maintain high-quality standards in offering culturally responsive refuge and safehouse services.
The organisation is deeply committed to social justice and human rights advocacy, both nationally and internationally, and works collaboratively with educational institutions, government, and non-government agencies to support research and resource development in the domestic violence sector.
Photo: Shakti
Shakti also ensures its services are environmentally sustainable, accessible, and inclusive of gender-diverse and disabled women and children, while continuing to foster and strengthen strategic partnerships and stakeholder relationships with organisations that share feminist values and perspectives.
The organisation has also contributed to several law reforms impacting migrant and refugee groups.
Photo: Shakti
Shakti operates in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, while also supporting partner agencies in regions without local offices.
The anniversary celebrations will also see the release of a book chronicling Shakti’s 30-year journey. Among the attendees will be Girijamba Polubothu, CEO of Shakti Aid UK, who will address the gatherings.
As Shakti reflects on three decades of transformative service, the organisation aims to honour the countless women whose contributions have shaped its mission, vision, and purpose across New Zealand.