Tariana Turia

Wellington, Dec 18 NZPA - Claims that money to support victims in court is being diverted to an advertising campaign against Maori family violence are wrong, Associate Social Development and Employment Minister Tariana Turia says.

A parliamentary select committee on Wednesday was told that money originally tagged for putting victims' advocacy services in courts was being redirected.

The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) said the money was going to a Maori family violence ad campaign announced by Mrs Turia the day before. The Aroha in Action campaign was part of the Maori family violence strategy she launched in August.

Mrs Turia said the campaign was being paid for out of new money. It complements the wider It's Not OK anti domestic violence campaign.

"What's happened is the campaign that existed before will continue and there's been some new money set aside for another shorter advertising campaign," she told Radio New Zealand.

About $900,000 funding was appropriated from the victim advocates' budget.

"That money will be used to support those families affected."

Mrs Turia earlier said the campaign would send a message about the importance and benefits of loving, caring and being with family.

The campaign included a resource book, advertisements on iwi radio and in Mana Magazine and on videos used in hospital and doctor waiting rooms and would cost $60,000 for two months.

The Justice Ministry is reviewing the Domestic Violence Act and was considering court processes so MSD thought it better that funds go on direct family violence services.

Police figures showed that in the 2008/09 year of the 54 homicide offences classed as murders, 23 were recorded as family violence murders.