Two Whangarei short films put the spotlight on abuse

Two short films about forms of abuse dealt out to the vulnerable aged and younger members of society have been made in Whangarei.
The two 25 minute films were written and produced through a collaboration involving several social agencies.
In the drama, called Hole in the Hedge, sport is the element through which abuse is portrayed - whether by bullying or the comments of parents and other spectators on the sideline.
Social worker and One Double Five Community House co-ordinator Carol Peters said the film highlights how subtle and varied abuse can be.
Hole in the Hedge scriptwriter and first-time director Fiona Pope said the children, mainly from Ngunguru School, were particularly good to work with and understood the themes and issues of the film.
"They were very professional," Ms Pope said.
"We were also lucky in that the adults who worked on the film are all real professionals, either actors or teachers, and they gave their time and expertise free."
The films are the result of a year-long collaborative effort between a large number of volunteers, community members and groups. The initiative was spearheaded by One Double Five Community House, Jigsaw North, Age Concern Whangarei, Channel North and Manaia Primary Health Organisation.
The films will be used to educate people about what it means to care for the elderly and for children.
They were officially launched at a celebration at the Manaia Primary Health offices this week.
"We have started using them in workshops already and the films will go on websites, YouTube and local TV," Ms Peters said.
"It's about spreading information and ideas about how to prevent abuse of our most vulnerable, and to discover ways of looking out for each other."
About 70 people were involved throughout the film making process, from coming up with the ideas through to scriptwriting and acting.
The documentary on elder abuse used clients from the daycare facility Forget-Me-Not as actors.
"The result is a realistic documentary and a captivating drama," Ms Peters said.
The film making sits alongside another nationally-driven Jigsaw movement called "Many Voices One Purpose".
Hone Tana from Jigsaw North, and Whangarei child advocate for children and young people witnessing violence, said these excellent new resources would open "conversations" in the targeted sectors.
"We want to find ways that we can all engage with children and their families so that every family has someone to call on," Mr Tana said. "Families want to share their good times and their hard times, and support each other."