Introduction

The Roy McKenzie Centre for the Study of Families, Te Pūtahi Rangahau Whanau, was launched in February 2003 with the help of a generous personal donation from Sir Roy and Lady Shirley McKenzie. The Centre is named in honour of Sir Roy, in recognition of his support for, and generosity toward, New Zealand families over the last six decades.

The Centre aims to provide high quality independent Aotearoa New Zealand based research and information on families and whanau to assist law makers, inform policy decisions and educate communities and professionals. The Centre supports and carries out interdisciplinary research with a focus on family formations, transitions and relationships in New Zealand.

Our strong educational focus includes developing education programmes, hosting and running workshops, and establishing effective dissemination pathways for current research. The Centre values communication and collaboration between universities, government agencies, NGOs, iwi and other groups involved with understanding family issues.