MICRO - CREDENTIAL

Professional Development

Introduction to the Micro-Credential Professional Development Programme

Introducing New Zealand’s first NZQA-accredited Pacific Family Violence qualification, designed to strengthen practitioners’ cultural capability.

Centred on eight ethnic-specific frameworks, it offers tailored approaches that reflect Pacific values and practices. Participants must complete the online pre-requisite learning module and attend two framework training workshops to earn the micro-credential, with opportunities for further learning.

This free, flexible and hybrid training programme equips professionals with practical, culturally relevant skills to better support Pacific families.

COURSE KEY INFO

Qualification

Ethnic-specific service delivery models, when working with Family Violence

Level

Level 6 – 20 Credits (NZQA – Accredited)

Requirement

Participants must complete the online pre-requisite learning module and attend two (2) framework training workshops to earn the micro-credential qualification.

Course Fees

Professional Development are offered:
Free of charge.

Programme Duration

The programme includes two required components:

  • Pre-requisite Online Module
  • Training – Two full-day sessions

Who can apply

This programme is for:
Social service workers, health professionals, educators, community leaders, and anyone working with Pacific families who need to strengthen their cultural competency in family violence prevention.

Training Dates

View our upcoming training dates available for registration.

TRAININGS

WORKSHOP DATES

Training time and location:
Time: 9:00am – 4:00pm | The Cause Collective, 15 Earl Richardson Avenue, Wiri (Map)

Eight Ethnic Frameworks

Nga Vaka o Kāiga Tapu’s training programmes are underpinned by cultural frameworks from eight ethnic specific Pacific islands.

FRAMEWORKS

Ethnic Frameworks

Samoa Framework

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Samoa

O le tōfā mamao

An important principle underpinning the dynamics of social and sacred encounters and interaction within fa’aSāmoa is the desire to maintain and protect peaceful relationships in ‘āiga (families), and between Sāmoan people. In the context of the Working Group discussions, tōfā mamao refers to the wisdom of ‘āiga and their social and religious communities as a critical pathway to fostering and nurturing wellbeing, and strong and vibrant families.

The purpose of tōfā is to ensure wellbeing is determined for all people and not for any one individual. Tōfā is love and compassion, and works to make possible freedom, and autonomy – so that all people are no longer burdened or overcome by suffering but live happy and fulfilling lives.

The word tōfā is wisdom achieved through the wise and judicious use of knowledge transmitted through family lore, and learnings from lifetimes of individual and collective experiences. Tōfā concerns thought that is reflective and contemplative, prudent, cautious, astute, and of good judgement. It involves individuals, families, groups of people, and whole communities.

Cook Islands Framework

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Cook Islands

Turanga Māori

The orama (vision) of the framework is the optimum wellbeing of the ngutuare (household), kopu tangata (family) and oire tangata (district/community) within which Māori live. The continuum of wellbeing asserts that all Māori have the right to expect no’o’anga meitaki and ora’anga meitaki, that is to live in good circumstance and have a good life. An individual or collective has the potential to live life to its fullest and therefore achieve ora’anga mou. A good and fulfilled life is acknowledged with the blessing ‘may you live on’, kia ora ana.

Ora’anga mou assumes a balance of all aspects of life. When all physical needs are being met and upheld, spiritual and emotional wellness complement the ora’anga of the individual and the collective.

Violence is understood as a violation of the wellbeing of the victim(s) and the perpetrator(s). It disconnects both parties from the continuum of wellbeing and, transgresses the tapu (divine sacredness) of both.

Fiji Framework

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Fiji

Vuvale Doka Sautu

The Fijian term “Sautu” denotes the existence and maintenance of a strong and vibrant Fijian vuvale (family). It represents the pinnacle and optimal state where the family is operating at its best and has secured a stable, harmonious and mutually sustaining status.

It is a situation where relationships are thriving because the key Fijian values and concepts of veivakarokoroko (respect), veidokai (respect or honour), veirogorogoci (listening to each other), veivakatavulici (accepting of authority), veinanumi (consideration), veikauwaitaki (care) and veilomani (loving one another) are observed and promoted. It is a situation akin to reaching the final stage in the building of a Fijian house when the Doka ni Vale is in place as the topmost and crowning glory of the house.

Tuvalu Framework

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Tuvalu

Toku Fou Tiale

The Framework sets out to restore kaaiga ola filemu, and to achieve the optimum level of wellbeing in kaaiga Tuvalu. It begins with recognition of fakasauaaga i loto i te kaaiga – violence in the kaaiga.

Kaaiga (family) plays an important role in Tuvaluan society. The kaaiga in Tuvalu includes the extended family and kinship groups. Fale (households) may comprise more than one nuclear family and members of the extended family.  If the kaaiga is functioning well, the health and wellbeing of its members and the wider community are less likely to be compromised, and the foundation for strong communities is maintained.

The term fakasauaaga describes violence. Fakasauaaga i loto i kaaiga or violence in kaaiga is a disruption in the optimum level of wellbeing in the kaaiga, resulting in a kaaiga tupu taua (volatile family) at the other end of the continuum of family wellbeing.

Tokelau Framework

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Tokelau

Kāiga Māopoopo

The vision of the Kāiga Māopoopo Conceptual Framework is wellbeing and strong, unified families. It affirms that all Tokelau people are entitled to happiness, protection and the opportunity to fulfil their aspirations and potential in all aspects of their wellbeing.

Violence disconnects both the victims and offenders from Kāiga Māopoopo and creates disharmony, and confusion at many levels of the kāiga (family). The result is a state of kāiga miha; if a person cannot find meaning in life, life is pointless, it is useless.

Kāiga Māopoopo is also understood as kaiga feālofani or kāiga fīlēmū and is one of many Tokelau terms for wellbeing/wellness. Kāiga Māopoopo is very distinctive as it has qualities that require absolute unity of Tokelau to achieve, maintain, and protect peaceful, nurturing, and caring relationships between and amongst their families.

Kiribati Framework

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Kiribati

Boutokaan te Mweeraoi

The title of the Kiribati Conceptual Framework is ‘Boutokaan Te Mweeraoi’, which can be translated as the supporting beams or structures for uplifting or enhancing wellbeing in the home. ‘Boutokaan’ refers to beams or posts (Sabatier 1971: 79); ‘mwee’ means to raise up or lift (Sabatier 1971: 254); and ‘raoi’ is a state of goodness or wellness (Sabatier 1971: 303).

The Working Group asserts that marin abara (a healthy environment and ecology); tetoronibwai (skills of self-reliance related to subsistence and spiritual communion with nature); te katei (customary practices unique to I-Kiribati); and te karinerine (the demonstration of respect) within te utuu (the family), te kaainga (the extended family hamlets), and te mwaneaba (the customary hall of community governance) are fundamental to Kiribati concepts of te maiu raoi or the good life.

Tonga Framework

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Tonga

Fofola e Fala Kae Talanoa e Kāinga

Fofola e Fala Kae Talanoa e Kāinga is a Tongan metaphor that literally means, ‘Roll out the mats so the family can dialogue’.  The Tongan Working Group identified that this expression is key to understanding and addressing violence in Tongan families.

This Tongan Conceptual Framework takes a strengths-based approach by highlighting concepts and principles present in anga faka-Tonga (Tongan culture) that protect and strengthen the family. These concepts and principles empower Tongan families to take responsibility for preventing and ending family violence.

When the concepts and principles are applied correctly, violent behaviour is transformed, and wellbeing and fāmili kaukaua mo kaukauola – strong and vibrant families – is restored.

Niue Framework

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Niue

Koe Fakatupuolamoui he tau Magafaoa Niue

Koe Fakatupuolamoui he tau Magafaoa Niue is a conceptual framework that seeks to address violence within Niuean families and individuals living in New Zealand. The framework will assist Niuean practitioners and non-Niuean providers working with Niuean families and individuals who have been affected by family violence.

The framework is named Fakatupuolamoui, which means, to thrive vigorously and abundantly. Fakatupuolamoui signifies the potential for Niuean families and individuals to achieve wellbeing, and to be strong, thriving, and vibrant.

Why Join This Programme

What You’ll Gain from This Programme

You will gain practical tools, cultural insight and flexible learning to support safe and effective engagement with Pacific families. The programme blends real-world experience with Pacific frameworks tailored to frontline work.

  • Apply Pacific cultural frameworks to address family violence.
  • Understand the values and needs of Pacific communities.
  • Learn from real case studies and effective engagement strategies.
  • Benefit from a hybrid approach with a flexible blend of self-paced online learning through seven interactive modules and two in-person workshops for hands-on practice and collaboration.

Admission Requirements

This programme is delivered at a level equivalent to the second year of a degree. Entry criteria apply, and we’ll be in touch if we need any further information after reviewing your application.

To apply, you should:

  • Be 20 years or older
  • Have two or more years of experience in social services or a related field
  • Have experience working with families from your selected ethnic communities

Course Outline

The Nga Vaka o Kāiga Tapu Micro-Credential has two key components:

  • Pre-requisite Online Module – A self-paced course introducing the eight Nga Vaka o Kāiga Tapu frameworks, the context of family violence amongst Pasifika populations in Aotearoa, and legal/ethical considerations for working with Pacific families.
  • Cultural Frameworks – In-person training on at least two of eight Pacific cultural frameworks, offering tailored, ethnic-specific approaches grounded in Pacific values and beliefs.

Training Location

See training time and address below:

  • Time: 9:00am - 4:00pm
  • Address: The Cause Collective (Community Hub)
    15 Earl Richardson Avenue, Wiri (Map)

Tools Required

Online module requirements: 
  • A laptop or desktop is required.
  • A reliable internet connection is required.

  • Completion of reading Modules 1 to 7 before workshop.

Face-to-face workshop requirements: 
  • A laptop/tablet is optional but recommended for referring to your online module work.
  • A notebook and pen for taking notes.
  • A charged device for digital sign-in.

Class Capacity

Limited to 20 participants.

Language

All programmes are delivered in English.

We welcome diverse applicants—if you’re passionate about supporting Pacific communities but unsure of your eligibility, contact us.

Register

Ready to begin? Click below to register, you’ll be taken to the registration page.

REGISTER

Still unsure?

Complete the inquiry form, and one of our team members will be in touch with more information about the programme.

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15 Earl Richardson Avenue
Wiri, Manukau, Auckland
New Zealand

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