Project Restore's vision is that Aotearoa New Zealand is free from cycles of violence.

Established as a charity in 2005, in response to a growing need that wasn’t being met elsewhere, Project Restore provides vital restorative justice services to those across Aotearoa New Zealand where sexual harm or violence has occurred. Our specialised process is led by lived experience; Survivors tell us what justice means for them, and those responsible are supported to listen, and take accountability. Our team of highly experienced Specialists help people impacted by sexual harm move forward with their lives by supporting them through this process. This results in an informal, facilitated meeting between a survivor, the person who caused harm, support people and any other approved people, such as community representatives or interpreters. 

As the only nationally accredited provider of restorative justice services for sexual harm or violence, it is imperative that Project Restore remains available to those who need us, when they need us in the Auckland and Northland regions. 

The latest New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey (NZCVS) by the Ministry of Justice (2025) shows that Project Restore’s service remains desperately needed. It was found that in 2024, some 90,000 adults in Aotearoa New Zealand reported they have experienced one or more incidences of harmful sexual assault, with incidence rates of 217,000. However, not all incidences of sexual harm are reported to an investigative authority, and the NZCVS estimated that only 32% of survivors of sexual violence reported the incident to the police. The report also highlights that people of all ages and backgrounds are impacted by sexual harm, with those between the ages of 15-29 years of age being the highest at-risk group. 

We exist to provide survivors an alternative pathway to New Zealand's criminal justice system when they want this, where their needs are heard and they get to define what ‘justice’ looks like for them. Additionally, our service allows people who have caused harm to understand their actions, the impact this has had, and guide them to services which can provide them with support and rehabilitation. In this way, we work towards our vision that Aotearoa New Zealand is free from cycles of sexual harm and violence.  

Your donation will help us to continue to be there for future clients and allow survivors of sexual harm to have their voices heard. You will help to ensure that our service remains accessible for all, and to help us prevent on-going cycles of sexual harm and violence which can impact generations.