Rape Awareness Week 2025

Whangārei is coming together in a new way this Rape Awareness Week, as the people of our place host its first-ever Festival of Consent. This week-long event is all about building a community where respect, communication, and enthusiastic consent are part of daily life—not just something we talk about occasionally, but something we practise in every interaction. The He Hapori Whakaae – Community of Consent kaupapa invites us all to reflect on how we can create a culture that prioritises these values.

The Festival begins on Monday, 5th May, at the Wairau Māori Art Gallery with a Whakatau (opening ceremony) at 10am, followed by morning tea—and everyone is warmly invited to attend. This public, all-day event is open to all and can be visited at any time throughout the day, with two guided tours of Tā, Tau: Works by Turumeke Harrington offered at 11.30am and 1.30pm. Art-making activities will be available throughout the day, offering a creative and hands-on way to explore the values of consent and respect. It’s an opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to come together, share their thoughts on what a “community of consent” looks and feels like, and reflect on the values at the heart of this vision. This is just one of the many ways He Hapori Whakaae – Community of Consent is being brought to life in Whangārei this week.

Throughout the week, people will be invited to learn and reflect on consent in everyday spaces, with talks and events across the city. These activations include a consent-themed book display at the Whangārei Central Library and interactive activities in Cameron Street Mall, offering various ways to engage with the kaupapa. The 7-Day Consent Awareness Challenge will also encourage everyone to notice how consent shows up in daily life—at home, at work, and with friends—and take simple, meaningful steps toward building more respectful, healthy relationships. Those who sign up to the challenge, will receive options for peer support and sharing through the week.

The festival concludes with an all-ages event on Sunday, May 11th, at ONEONESIX. This celebration, from 1pm to 4pm, will feature soup, song, and spoken word performances and a chance to reflect on the week’s experiences and continue building a community grounded in consent.

“At Whangārei Rape Crisis, our goal is to eliminate sexual harm from our community. We see too many lives affected by sexual violence, and the Festival of Consent is an opportunity for us all to learn, reflect, and take action to ensure that everyone can truly ‘Love it Here’.” — Ange Jones, General Manager.

Learn more about the events here.