“The David and Goliath Routine can Backfire – Tread Carefully”: A Focus-Group Evaluation of the Kia Kaha Anti-Bullying Kit

Abstract

This article provides an evaluation of Kia Kaha, the New Zealand Police’s anti-bullying initiative. Information was generated by using three international focus-groups: (i) a group of Oxford University PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education) students; (ii) a group of anti-bullying experts from Adelaide, Australia; and (iii) a group of third-year Education students from Victoria University of Wellington. After analysis of the data, several recommendations for possible improvements were made. These included retaining the bicultural theme but changing the programme, and using information from recent international research to develop a range of anti-bullying tools. It was also underlined that the onus for change should not be placed on the shoulders of the victim of bullying.