$219,000 donation to Women’s Refuge to be channelled into refurbishment projects

The biennial exhibition, which took place in November 2018 at Fort Takapuna on Auckland’s North Shore, featured 89 large-scale outdoor artworks by NZ artists.

Friends of Women's Refuges Trust have announced that NZ Sculpture OnShore 2018 has raised a staggering $219,000 for Women's Refuge NZ.

The biennial exhibition, which took place in November 2018 at Fort Takapuna on Auckland's North Shore, featured 89 large-scale outdoor artworks by NZ artists. Open to the public over 14 days, the event attracted 20,000 visitors and almost half of the artworks were sold.

"We're delighted with this fundraising result for Women's Refuge which has exceeded our target and expectations," says Rhonwen Dewar, Chair, Friends of Women's Refuges Trust, "the efforts of everyone involved in making NZ Sculpture OnShore such a success, is testament to their commitment to creating brighter futures for women and children affected by domestic violence."

The $219,000 donation to Women's Refuge will be channelled into refurbishment projects for safe houses, new linen and bedding packs for each of the 42 refuges across the country and supporting access to counselling services for women and children.

"New Zealand has one of the worst rates of domestic violence in the OECD with one in three women experiencing some form of abuse within their relationship. Last year nearly 50,000 women and children were referred to Women's Refuge. This donation will enable Women's Refuge to continue to deliver their vital programs," says Dewar.

Dr Ang Jury, Chief Executive of Women's Refuge says, "We are extremely grateful to Friends of Women's Refuges Trust and everyone involved with NZ Sculpture Onshore for their incredibly hard work, dedication and generosity. Without the passion and support of such groups, we simply could not continue providing our essential services to women and children when they are at their most vulnerable."