Our free resources help you understand sexual harm and what you can do to support yourself, someone you care about or prevent further harm in your community. Whether you’re a young person, a caregiver, a teacher or a community leader – there’s something here for you.
Tautoko Mai was founded by three women around a coffee table in Tauranga, out of concern for the lack of services in the Bay of Plenty to co-ordinate care and support for people and their families who had been affected by sexual harm. They established the Bay of Plenty Sexual Assault Support Service (BOPSASS), operating out of a small house in central Tauranga. Initially providing the Sexual Abuse Assessment and Treatment Service (SAATS), BOPSASS then extended their services, opening offices in Whakatāne and Hamilton.
In 2019, BOPSASS became Tautoko Mai Sexual Harm Support. Our team of over 50 employees and 100 contractors now provide support services throughout the Eastern BOP, Western BOP and Waikato regions as well as some services that stretch throughout Aotearoa. In 2020 we began our Social Change and Prevention initiatives with a team of one, now in 2025 the team has grown to 8 and many supporting contractors.
The growth of our services reflects the increasing need for community support and the importance of resourcing harm prevention.
Serving Bay of Plenty and Waikato
Te Tiriti-led and whānau-centred
Accredited, multi-disciplinary teams
The contemporary meaning of “tautoko” is to support, assist and give comfort, to encourage and “mai” word – meaning in the direction of the speaker.
So in the name “Tautoko mai” is the concept of the Māori values of manaaki & tiaki: to support and take care of, to guard and protect. Moving towards the “whaiora” the seeker of wellness who are the manuhiri, the guests of our roopu.
“Tau” is also used as it is in the name of one of our locations “Tauranga” meaning to settle, to be safe. Therefore Tauranga meaning ‘safe harbour’. When “tau” is used at the beginning of a word it amplifies the action. In this case the action is the “Toko” – to begin to move, particularly in terms of thinking and emotions.
A future where communities are free from sexual and family harm.
To walk beside individuals, families and whānau, and communities, helping them navigate the impacts of harm and build stronger futures.
Guiding the way we protect and care for our clients, build trust, foster hope, support independence, and empower those we work alongside.
A safe supportive environment
Supporting hopes, dreams and aspirations
Practicing self-empowerment and self-determination
Aspiring to be the best you can be.
Our Board of Trustees brings together lived experience, clinical insight, cultural leadership and governance expertise.
We regularly seek values-aligned professionals to join our growing team. If you want to make a real difference – and be supported to do it – we’d love to hear from you.
We rely on We rely on funding, grants donations and partnerships to continue to provide support services to survivors of sexual harm.
We greatly appreciate the generosity of our donors, with every contribution going directly toward providing services for the people in our community who need it.
To donate, please visit our Givealittle page. To become a regular donor or find out how you can support our cause, get in touch.
If you or your organisation would like to partner with Tautoko Mai, please give us a call on 07 577 0512 to discuss how you can help.
Mum and daughter happy & embracing
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