About Our Refuge

You are always welcome...

At Waitomo-Waipā Women’s Refuge, we believe that every woman and child has the right to choose what safety looks like for them, with respect, dignity, and freedom from judgement.

We are a locally governed, community-based refuge working to create pathways to safety for wāhine, tamariki and whānau across our region.

Every day, we provide advocacy, education, and practical help, walking alongside women as they take steps towards safety, healing, and independence.

Our Mission

We believe that every woman and child has the right to choose what safety looks like for them.
We provide practical help, education, advocacy and a safe space — empowering people to build confidence, make informed choices, and take the next step towards a life free from harm.

Our vision

We believe in a future where women and children are safe, respected, and free from harm and fear, a future where equality is valued, and tamariki can thrive.

Our Values

These values guide every decision we make and every interaction we have, with each other, our clients, and our community.

Safety


We create spaces where women and tamariki can rest, recover, and rebuild their lives free from harm and fear.

Empowerment


We walk alongside each woman, supporting her right to choose what safety looks like for her. Through advocacy, education, and practical help, we help restore confidence and independence.

Tautoko (Support)


We offer compassion, understanding, and practical help, ensuring no one faces change alone.

Our strength comes from standing together as a team and as a community.

Our Story

Many women who reach out to us arrive feeling exhausted, unsure of what to do next, and burdened by barriers that seem impossible to overcome.
Their voices have often been ignored or silenced, leaving them uncertain about where to turn.

We understand that fear.


The systems can be confusing.

The abuse, physical, emotional, psychological, sexual or financial, can feel impossible to escape. And for many, the idea of leaving feels even scarier than staying.

That’s why we exist.


We walk alongside each woman, offering respect, advocacy, and practical support. Together, we build confidence, open doors, and make the path forward a little clearer.

We are working every day towards a future where all women and tamariki are safe, respected, and supported, a future where voices are heard, barriers are broken down, and no one has to face change alone.

Our Team

Tūtaki ki ā Mātou Kaimahi

Our advocates and support staff bring together a mix of lived experience, professional training, and deep commitment to this kaupapa.
Each member of our team shares the same purpose: to help all women and children live free from violence and fear.

Our Region

We cover rural, coastal, and town communities from Mōkau to Cambridge, including Te Kūiti, Kāwhia, Benneydale, and Te Awamutu.


We are part of the National Collective of Independent Women’s Refuges, which means we work locally but are connected to a network of refuges across Aotearoa.

Get in touch

If you’d like to learn more about our work, our team, or ways to get involved, we’d love to hear from you.

Women's Refuge Waitomo Waipā is an affiliated member of the Women’s Refuge National Collective, working alongside refuges across Aotearoa to support women and whānau experiencing family violence.