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Women’s Refuge Announces Appointment of Naomi Ogg as New Chief Executive

Women’s Refuge is delighted to announce the appointment of Naomi Ogg as Chief Executive, commencing 1st December 2025.

Naomi, a descendant of Ngāti Kauwhata, has worked within the National Collective of Independent Women’s Refuges (NCIWR) for over a decade and in the wider family violence sector for 13 years. She is currently the manager of Te Roopu Whakaruruhau in Palmerston North.

With experience both behind the scenes and on the frontline, Naomi has contributed to several collectives and advisory groups focused on family violence and community wellbeing. She brings deep insight into policy, systems change, and kaupapa Māori approaches to supporting wāhine, tamariki, and whānau. Her leadership is grounded in integrity, connection, and a long-standing commitment to the organisation.

She succeeds Dr Ang Jury ONZM, who will be stepping down at the end of this year after 10 years as Chief Executive and more than 20 years of service within the organisation.

“While I am sad to be leaving and embracing the closing of this chapter for myself, I am thrilled to be able to pass the mantle to a true wahine toa,” says Dr Ang Jury ONZM.

“Naomi has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to our kaupapa and, over the years, has walked alongside wāhine, tamariki, and whānau in refuge, contributing to our wider movement in many meaningful ways. I know that under her leadership, the organisation will continue to grow, and she will strengthen our mahi—continuing to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi.”

Naomi says she is excited to begin this new role and continue advocating for the safety and wellbeing of all those affected by family violence.

“It’s a real privilege to step into this role. I’ve spent time listening to, walking alongside, and learning from our communities—those lessons will come with me into this new chapter. The Women’s Refuge movement itself, and the wāhine who have held and shaped it, have been some of my greatest teachers.”

“I want to acknowledge Dr Ang Jury for her leadership and staunch commitment over many years—she leaves a strong legacy. I know I’m joining a team of passionate and experienced kaimahi and I’m looking forward to learning from them as we continue this important mahi together.”

Naomi Ogg

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New Research Reveals Long-Term Harm and Systemic Failures Facing Victims of Intimate Partner Violence

Groundbreaking research released today by Women’s Refuge reveals the enduring and devastating effects of intimate partner violence (IPV), as well as widespread institutional failures that continue to endanger survivors. The report, part of the Safer When, Safer How project and generously funded by Contact Energy, is the first of its kind to explore IPV risks across the lifespan.

The report is based on the lived experiences of more than 1,700 women and non-binary victims, shows that leaving an abusive partner doesn’t end the violence — and that for many, safety remains out of reach due to broken systems.

Dr Ang Jury, Women’s Refuge CEO highlights the research as both unprecedented and essential.

“This important work has the potential to meaningfully reduce the alarmingly high levels of family violence in Aotearoa. We have already seen findings from earlier phases of the research be adopted by various organisations and influence how they are working with and understanding victims.”

“This research shows us that risk does not stop when a relationship ends,” says Dr Natalie Thorburn, Principal Policy Advisor at Women’s Refuge. “Victims continue to carry the mental, emotional, physical, and financial costs of violence for years — sometimes decades — after leaving.”

The Hidden Costs of “Getting Out”

At the peak of the violence, victims spent up to 7 hours per day mentally planning for safety and lost 9 hours of rest — leading to exhaustion, memory loss, and burnout. Even after separation:

• 89% reported worsened mental health
• 74% reported worsened physical health
• 63% ended up in debt
• 54% struggled to afford food and groceries
• 30% couldn’t access safe housing

A System Making Victims Work Harder for Safety

Victims described being disbelieved, blamed, and forced through exhausting bureaucratic hoops — often while parenting alone and recovering from trauma. On average:

• Victims interacted with five different services
• Spent 12 hours per month over 9 months seeking support
• Took 21 hours of contact before getting meaningful help

Only one in four said the violence stopped as a result of engaging with services.

“It’s a good reminder of the turmoil women are already going through when they reach out for us,” says Dr Ang Jury, Chief Executive of Women’s Refuge. “Support shouldn’t be another barrier — it should be the circuit breaker.”

What Actually Works

Victims identified three keys to effective support:

1. Practical help with what they couldn’t manage alone
2. Fast, proactive responses
3. Services that listen and adapt

Victims who accessed specialist support like Women’s Refuge were nearly three times more likely to feel safer and better off (73.4%) than those who didn’t.

Time to Act: No One Should Pay for Their Safety

The report calls for urgent reform across police, courts, health, and housing systems — to treat IPV as the root cause of victims’ needs, not a side issue.

“No one should be condemned to a lifetime of fear, poverty, or illness because their partner chose violence,” says Dr Thorburn. “This report shows not just how risk unfolds — but how we can stop it.”

Not only has Contact funded this ambitious research to support those seeking safety, advice and care this winter, the energy company will match every Safe Night donated in August up to 10,000 nights.

Mike Fuge, CEO of Contact says:

“At Contact, we believe it should be good to be home, but we know that’s not the reality for many New Zealanders.

Family violence is never acceptable. We all have a responsibility to support women and children affected by violence. That’s why our partnership with Women’s Refuge matters deeply to us.

By funding this vital research, we hope to enable Women’s Refuge to raise awareness of the long-term impacts of family violence and help drive meaningful change.”

Full report here.

Editors Notes:

Contact Energy

Contact Energy is one of New Zealand’s largest energy providers, serving over 630,000 customer connections with electricity, gas, broadband, and mobile services. Contact operates 38 power stations nationwide, generating electricity from geothermal, hydro, and thermal sources.

Since partnering with Women’s Refuge in 2022, Contact has funded more than 34,000 Safe Nights and provides free power and broadband to more than 70 safe houses and refuges nationwide. This support helps refuges redirect resources to urgent needs and programmes. Throughout August, Contact is matching donations made to Women’s Refuge’s Safe Night Appeal by up to 10,000 Safe Nights. Visit: contact.co.nz/safenight.

New Zealand’s family violence statistics

• On average, just under 50,000 women and children are referred to Women’s Refuge each year.
• On average Women’s Refuge answers 71 crisis calls per day.
• New Zealand has the highest rates of family violence in the OECD.
• 1 in 3 women will experience abuse in their lifetime in Aotearoa.
• Nearly half of all homicides and reported violent crimes are related to family violence.
• Around 67% of family violence episodes go unreported.

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Hon Louise Upston

Minister for Social Development and Employment 

30 July 2025 

Independent Children’s Board to protect Kiwi kids

The Government is fulfilling a significant commitment to vulnerable Kiwi kids, with the appointment of Dr Ang Jury, ONZM as Chair of the new Board for the Independent Children’s Monitor.

The Monitor is one of three statutory bodies having oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, along with the Children’s Commissioner and the Ombudsman.

“This marks a significant step for vulnerable children,” Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says.

“The legislative changes I have taken through Parliament this year have enabled this appointment, reflecting commitments in the National-ACT coalition agreement to create a truly independent monitoring and oversight agency for Oranga Tamariki.

“As current chief executive of Women’s Refuge, Dr Jury is an outstanding appointee and will serve a five-year term. She brings expertise in the wider social and Oranga Tamariki sectors.

“Her commitment and senior leadership experience will support the successful establishment of the new Board from 1 August 2025.”

Other Board members will be appointed in due course.

The Monitor’s current Chief Executive, Arran Jones, will remain in his role from 1 August 2025 to 31 July 2026 to oversee and support the organisation’s transition.

Media contact: Charlotte Gendall – +64 21 500 947

Notes for Editors

Dr Ang Jury

Dr Jury is Chief Executive of the National Collective of Independent Women’s Refuges. She is an experienced senior leader in the non-governmental sector, with extensive expertise in managing complex relationships, change management, performance monitoring, and data governance.

Dr Jury has been involved in the domestic violence prevention and community services sector for over 20 years.

About the Independent Children’s Monitor

The Independent Children’s Monitor (ICM) is also referred to as Aroturuki Tamariki. Its role is to carry out objective, impartial, and evidence-based monitoring of the Oranga Tamariki system.

https://aroturuki.govt.nz/

The new ICM Board structure flows through from legislation passed earlier this year.

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/strengthened-oversight-oranga-tamariki-system

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13 March 2025

For immediate release

Unseen and Unheard: New Report Reveals High Prevalence of Traumatic Brain Injury in Women Affected by Family Violence

Today Women’s Refuge releases a new report never undertaken in Aotearoa before looking at the prevalence of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in victims of family violence.

The report, part of a wider research project Safer When, Safer How, coincides with Brain Awareness Week and highlights the experiences and challenges of the unseen victims of TBI – women who have been beaten by their partners.

TBI is a condition most people see as linked to contact sports like rugby or serious accidents, most often involving men. People rarely consider the likelihood that women experiencing partner violence will sustain a TBI, even though abusers most often target victims’ heads, faces, necks, and spines – often repetitively.  TBI amongst women victims remains understudied and unrecognised – even most research centres on sporting, combat and crash injuries.

Dr Ang Jury Women’s Refuge CEO says:

“It is clear from this report that the likelihood of women sustaining a TBI from their partners’ abuse is much higher than we had thought. And this is not a bruise that heals quickly – these consequences last days, weeks and even years and have serious impacts on how a victim can function day to day and the type of support they receive.”

A deep dive into women’s refuge risk assessment data paints a similar picture. There is a high prevalence of TBI in victims of family violence, with just over half of women reporting that they have been punched in the head.  Over a quarter of these women lost consciousness, and many of them experienced physical symptoms like head/neck pain, fatigue, unsteadiness, or problems hearing or seeing in the days afterwards, and new difficulties with concentration, memory, or emotion regulation in the days afterwards.

“Because the connection between family violence and TBI is not widely understood, many women will not have TBI diagnosed by their GPs and may not even know what is happening themselves. Additionally, many will never even get the opportunity – over a quarter of women reported their access to medical care was blocked by their abuser.”

The report goes onto to assert that family violence and TBI occurring concurrently must be recognised to provide effective support.  It shows that victims with a TBI have to access many more services, for more hours a month, and for more months than what victims without a TBI do. And despite getting help from agencies, many of them still have to live with violence and its impacts, which get in the way of their recovery.

“We know how difficult it is to reach out for assistance for victims, as well as begin the difficult journey of rebuilding their lives – combining this with TBI which is likely growing worse due to repeated assaults it makes the barrier for leaving an abuser and living a fulfilling life after even more difficult. Inflicting injuries that result in TBI serves abusers’ interests and have long-term implications for women’s health and social outcomes.”

Crucially, the report suggests all services should listen carefully to how victims describe their symptoms and adjust their approach to make support as accessible and sustainable as possible.

“Specialist agencies and health services can play a key role in supporting victim by proactively asking about head injuries, recognising symptoms, and providing education about TBI.”

Those who are supporting a loved one can also play an important part in their safety and recovery.

“If you feel that someone you know may be experiencing TBI you can make a huge difference in their lives by connecting them with medical support and going with them to appointments; offering a helping hand with practical tasks at home; and checking in regularly on things they may need.”

“Our mission is to eliminate family violence and part of this is recognising the unseen barriers to safety – TBI is just this.”

Full report available here

Editors Notes:

Contact Energy

This report is part of a larger research project, never undertaken in Aotearoa New Zealand – Safer When, Safer How the aims to examine family violence risk and what really works to make women safer. This work is generously funded by Contact Energy.

Family violence statistics

• Around 50,000 women and children were referred to Women’s Refuge last year.
  • On average Women’s Refuge answers 71 crisis calls per day.
  • New Zealand has the highest rates of family violence in the OECD.
  • 1 in 3 women will experience abuse in their lifetime in Aotearoa.
  • Nearly half of all homicides and reported violent crimes are related to family violence.
  • Around 67% of family violence episodes go unreported.

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11 December 2024

New Research reveals significant shift in attitudes towards and support for victims of family violence

Women’s Refuge is releasing the results of the second phase of its Safer When, Safer How research project, providing valuable insights into how New Zealand communities understand, respond to, and support women impacted by family violence.

This research, funded by Contact Energy, is an ambitious research project into risks associated with family violence across the lifespan – and how to improve the long-term safety of people impacted by it.

The survey was aimed at communities and included 2,010 respondents with half indicating they had supported someone experiencing abuse. Dr Ang Jury, CEO Women’s Refuge says that while this clearly shows the prevalence of family violence in our communities it is still good news and shows positive social change.

“In the survey results we see over and over how communities are doing a remarkable job supporting victims of violence both practically and emotionally.”

“This is a dramatic shift away from the attitudes of the recent past. It was only a short time ago that family violence was seen as a private matter and communities felt that what happened behind closed doors was not their concern. It is a huge step forward for tackling family violence in Aotearoa and heartening for us.”

The report also identifies that Māori respondents and those with lived experience are willing to go further when it comes to support.

“For Māori respondents and those with their own experience of family violence (whether personal or in a support role) they are less deterred by barriers that may stop of others from helping. For example, if the victim does not leave her abuser after supporting it is received.”

Other barriers including not understanding family violence or not being able to access comprehensive information.

“We see in the report that many people wanted more information and to more clearly understand family violence – crucially not feeling that it is a private matter. Getting more information out there is certainly achievable.”

Another point the survey makes it clear that effective support is simple, and communities are making a real impact through being there for a chat, helping with meals or childcare, or offering some time away providing a mental break.

“A huge learning from the report and from our clients is that you do not have to fix the whole problem of family violence to help someone become safer.”

While the survey reveals that many are assisting, there is still work to be done to ensure that support is accessible, effective, and not hindered by myths and misconceptions.

“Despite good intentions, several misconceptions about family violence still exist, including things like the belief that leaving an abuser is simple and safe, or that calling the police can always provide an immediate resolution. These myths must be dismantled to provide more effective support to those experiencing abuse and we will continue to promote awareness around these issues.”

“We want to recognize the incredible work our communities are doing to support those affected by abuse. At the same time, we are committed to fostering greater understanding and empowering everyone to play a role in making New Zealand safer for women. Every action, no matter how small, makes a difference.”

Notes to Editor

Full report is available here

Ways to support

Contribute to our summer appeal and help create a Summer of Safety by gifting a Safe Night here – $20 provides a night of safety, security, hot meals and advice.

New Zealand’s family violence statistics

• On average, just under 50,000 women and children are referred to Women’s Refuge each year.
• On average Women’s Refuge answers 71 crisis calls per day.
• New Zealand has the highest rates of family violence in the OECD.
• 1 in 3 women will experience abuse in their lifetime in Aotearoa.
• Nearly half of all homicides and reported violent crimes are related to family violence.
• Around 67% of family violence episodes go unreported.

 About Women’s Refuge

For 50 years, Women’s Refuge has been supporting women and children impacted by family violence, providing vital services and resources to help rebuild lives. The organisation works to ensure all women and children can live in safety and free from violence.

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Contact to match donations to Women’s Refuge Winter Appeal

Contact Energy (Contact) is calling for Kiwis to get behind the Women’s Refuge Safe Night Bed Appeal and is matching donations made this winter.

The fundraising appeal, Safe Night Beds: New Zealand’s most supportive mattress campaign, encourages New Zealanders to donate a Safe Night, at the cost of $20, so Women’s Refuge can continue to provide a safe haven for women and children escaping family violence. A Safe Night provides women and their children with a clean bed, hot meals, secure transport, and support.

To mark the extension of its long-term partnership with Women’s Refuge, Contact will match donations made to the Safe Night Bed appeal up to 1,500 Safe Nights – to the value of $30,000.

In addition, Contact team members are volunteering their time to help Women’s Refuge at an interactive pop-up shop at Brandon Street in Wellington, set up as part of the appeal. The Safe Night Beds shop features six beds where New Zealanders can hear recorded stories from survivors impacted by family violence and details of the support Women’s Refuge offers.

“Our partnership with Women’s Refuge is hugely meaningful to everyone at Contact. This is why we take every opportunity to support their incredible mahi to make a tangible impact in the communities they serve,” says Contact’s CEO Mike Fuge.

“Family violence is a serious issue in New Zealand, which has an impact on us all – whether directly or someone we know – so we have a collective responsibility to support women and children who are affected.”

Contact has supported Women’s Refuge since 2020 but formalised a partnership in July 2022 to help make a more lasting impact. During that time Contact has donated 26,155 Safe Nights and provided Women’s Refuge’s 70 safe houses, refuges and offices with free power and broadband, freeing up funds for refuges to directly support the families they are helping.

“We are so grateful to our partner Contact Energy for this very generous $30,000 donation and for all the ways in which they support our mahi. Whether it is providing free power and broadband to our safe houses; funding innovative research; or helping our clients easily sign up to power and broadband, Contact assists us tremendously in our mission to help those experiencing family violence.” Dr Ang Jury ONZM.

Acknowledging that not all issues can be solved by money, Contact has worked with Women’s Refuge to find solutions for other challenges their clients experience. For instance, some women have poor credit ratings due to family violence which can cause difficulties when they look to set up a new home. To ensure women have access to power as soon as they arrive at a new home, they can become a Contact customer regardless of their credit history.

Women’s Refuge Safe Night Beds pop-up shop is located at 27 Brandon Street, Wellington and is open until Thursday 15 August.  Donations to gift a Safe Night can be made directly to Women’s Refuge here.

ENDS

Media enquiries

Lotty Hird, Senior Communications Advisor
M: 027 207 8684
E: lotty.hird@contactenergy.co.nz

About Contact

Contact Energy is one of New Zealand’s largest energy generators and retailers. We have more than 600,000 customer connections with electricity, gas, broadband and mobile plans. We are committed to leading the decarbonisation of New Zealand, and it is our vision to create and contribute to a better place to live; from the homes and communities we live in, to the land and resources that future generations can enjoy.

We are a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index Asia-Pacific(DJSI Asia-Pacific), which is a global benchmark for corporate sustainability, and winners of Sustainability Leadership Award at the 2023 Deloitte Top 200 Awards.

Website: contact.co.nz  More information can be found in Contact’s 2023 Integrated Report

About Women’s Refuge

Established in 1973, the charity started out by women and children escaping domestic violence staying with other women and children. Today, there are 40 Refuges across the motu from Kaitaia to Invercargill. They provide a wide range of services including help accessing healthcare and counselling, budgeting advice, assisting with protection orders and other legal matters, finding a place to live, funding for children’s activities, and support with basics like food and clothing. Over the years, the charity has played a key role in advocating for changes to the law to protect victims of family violence.

• On average, 50,000 women and children are referred to Women’s Refuge each year.
• On average Women’s Refuge answers 71 crisis calls per day.
• New Zealand has the highest rates of family violence in the OECD.
• 1 in 3 women will experience abuse in their lifetime in Aotearoa.
• Nearly half of all homicides and reported violent crimes are related to family violence.
• Around 67% of family violence episodes go unreported.

Website: https://womensrefuge.org.nz

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Upcoming anti-stalking petition handover to Minister Paul Goldsmith 1pm Wed 26 June

From: Coalition for the Safety of Women and Children and AVA (Anti-Violence Action)

The Coalition for the Safety of Women and Children and AVA will hand over a https://our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/protect-women-make-stalking-illegal-1, calling on the Government to urgently make stalking illegal, to Minister of Justice Paul Goldsmith in person at 1 pm this coming Wednesday 26 June 2024. Two opposition spokespeople for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence Ginny Andersen (Labour) and Marama Davidson (Greens) will also be there to accept the petition with the Minister. Ms Davidson has kindly confirmed her attendance, and we wish her the very best for her upcoming health leave).

The petition will be presented by Leonie Morris (Chair of the Coalition for the Safety of Women and Children), Dr Natalie Thorburn, Principal Policy Advisor, Women’s Refuge, Dr Alison Towns (violence prevention expert) and Dr Suzanne Manning, National President, National Council of Women (contact details below for all speakers).

The petition handover follows on from last month’s https://awc.org.nz/stalking-letter/ with 80 signatories – in business, politics, law, entertainment, media, and academia – calling on Minister of Justice Paul Goldsmith to urgently make stalking illegal. The minister has written back acknowledging some of the harms of stalking, and stating the Government will turn to stalking as priorities allow. However, he has not committed to a timeline to introduce urgently-needed stalking legislation, and the Coalition is deeply concerned at the lack of action. A lack of proactive championship from previous ministers (despite their supportive words) resulted in little-to-no progress in this area in the past.

The Coalition are therefore urging the Minister to commit to a near-future deadline for the introduction of anti-stalking legislation to the House. The petition calls for urgency.

The live petition is here: https://our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/protect-women-make-stalking-illegal-1

Last month’s open letter is here: https://awc.org.nz/stalking-letter/

For more information on the dangers of stalking see: https://awc.org.nz/stalking/

Contacts:

• Leonie Morris – 021 209 8842, mailto:akcentre@womenz.org.nz Leonie is chair of the Coalition for the Safety of Women and Children (the Coalition is made up of 18 preventing-violence organisations based in Tāmaki Makaurau; list on the open letter webpage: https://awc.org.nz/stalking-letter/
• Dr Natalie Thorburn, Principal Policy Advisor, Women’s Refuge – 021 027 57237
• Dr Alison Towns, Family Violence expert, Coalition for the Safety of Women and Children – 021 846 939
• Dr Suzanne Manning, National President, National Council of Women – 027 419 8710

Further background information:

• Over 50 groups as diverse as Rural Women New Zealand, NZ Prostitutes Collective, E Tū Union, the Federation of Business and Professional Women NZ and Migrant Action Trust have signed the letter addressed to Minister of Justice Paul Goldsmith, as well as Women’s Refuge and anti-violence advocates.
• Prior to the election, the National party publicly supported inserting stalking in the Crimes Act, but since the election, Goldsmith has indicated criminalisation stalking is not a priority.
• New Zealand is out-of-step with the European Union, the United States, England, and Australia by not having a stalking law.
• Stalkers attempt to control their victims through surveillance, threats, and intimidation. It can be terrifying. Just the possibility of stalking can silence women. Stalking takes a heavy toll on victims’ lives, and it can escalate to severe physical violence and murder.
• A https://www.otago.ac.nz/news/newsroom/escalation-in-harassment-of-mps-threatens-democracy found escalation of harassment of MPs is threatening democracy.

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