Kia-Kaha (Maori word for "stand strong") was established in New Zealand by the Telecom Corporation and the New Zealand Police Education Officers. New Zealanders have created guidelines and charters that urge schools to acknowledge their "moral obligation to reduce bullying." Hundreds of Police Education Officers are trained to implement the Kia-Kaha program in schools. They encourage the entire school community (students, teachers, school board members, parents, and others) to work together to establish safe emotional and physical environments. The group also suggests different intervention strategies to address bullying when it occurs and urges teachers to assume an active role in curbing violence through their interactions with students, staff, and parents.
Kia Kaha is a whole school approach to eliminate bullying. It aims to help schools create environments where everyone feels safe, respected and valued, and where bullying cannot flourish. This intervention consists of an Implementation Book Kia Kaha in Your School ? a working booklet, which gives a step-by-step guide to putting the whole school approach in place, and five curriculum programmes, one for each level of primary and secondary schools.
These are:
Year 0-3 Building a Safe, Happy Classroom Ages 5-7
Years 4-6 A Bully-Free Zone Ages 8-10
Years 7-8 Safer Communities Together Ages 11-12
Years 9-13 Our Place Ages 13 -17
These programmes have been developed by the Youth Education Service (YES) of the New Zealand Police, working in close association with Specialist Education Services. The Crime Prevention Unit provided support and financial assistance.
For further information contact the New Zealand Police.
