Project Whetū Paused: Government halts family violence platform after $2m spend

The New Zealand Government has paused Project Whetū, a technology initiative intended to improve how agencies coordinate responses to family violence. The decision stops the development of an integrated case management system that was designed to alert staff to high-risk situations and enhance data sharing. Karen Chhour, the Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence and Sexual Violence, confirmed the technology component is on hold. She stated that non-technical elements of the best practice operating model, including high-risk protocols and information sharing guidance, are still progressing. Chhour noted that the pause has not reduced frontline services.

Documents released under the Official Information Act reveal that the pause was formally approved in December 2025. The executive board for the Elimination of Family Violence and Sexual Violence determined that there was no practicable or sustainable method to fund, host, and operate the proposed platform. At the time of the decision, the project had consumed two million dollars over a two-year period. The board approved returning approximately 5.2 million dollars to the Crown. The Centre for Family Violence and Sexual Violence Prevention had originally proposed the system to make children more visible to support services and to improve overall data security.

Ministers and officials acknowledge that the interim status quo carries specific risks. Agencies currently lack a shared view of the information required for effective triage and risk assessment. They continue to rely primarily on manual processes, which limits operational efficiency and reduces the potential return on investment. Officials also identified vulnerabilities in data security and information sharing. The OIA response noted that staff are exploring various contingencies, including an Excel-based form. This option was selected for the moment because it is the only affordable choice, incurring no cost.

Opposition reactions have been sharp. Ginny Andersen, Labour’s police spokesperson, described the decision as an absolute shocker. She argued that the government is scrapping a project designed to help agencies identify people at risk of family violence despite official warnings. Andersen stated that when agencies cannot easily share vital information, people at risk can fall through the cracks. She urged the government to explain why it is walking away from a tool intended to strengthen the response to family violence.

The technology component of Project Whetū may be resumed in the future if a practical and sustainable way to host and operate the platform is found. This potential revival is subject to funding prioritization and any directives from the Government Chief Digital Officer. Chhour’s office indicated that the decision will be reviewed later. For now, agencies will continue using existing systems while the technology remains in a state of suspension.

Chhour emphasized that the pause is a technical decision rather than a reduction in support for victims. The non-technical aspects of the multi-agency response model continue to move forward. The government maintains that the current arrangement, while less efficient, allows them to explore more viable options for the future. The returned funds will be managed by the Crown, while the project awaits a potential change in funding or hosting conditions.