Resolution Institute New Zealand launches Restorative Practice Accreditation Training

Resolution Institute New Zealand has launched a Restorative Practice Accreditation pathway, marking an important milestone in strengthening and recognising restorative practice across Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia.

The new accreditation will provide multiple pathways into recognition as a Restorative Practitioner, ensuring that people with a wide range of backgrounds, skills, and experiences can be acknowledged for their expertise. Importantly, the framework will also recognise prior learning, allowing practitioners already active in the field to have their contributions formally validated.

To support this framework, Resolution Institute have developed a unique Restorative Practice Accreditation Course, which will be delivered via a 3-day in-person format. Developed to cater for individuals who already possess foundational knowledge of restorative practice, this will help learners advance their development by providing the training of the necessary practical skills needed to become a Restorative Practitioner in various settings, on top of the knowledge learnt from other educational pathways.

One of the first education pathways to be recognised is through Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington’s Te Ngāpara Centre for Restorative Practice. Completion of the Centre’s highly regarded course Restorative Foundations will count towards accreditation, supporting participants to build their knowledge and practice on a strong foundation of restorative values, theory, and skills. 

Jon Everest from the Resolution Institute led a working group of New Zealand-based industry experts to develop a restorative practice pathway that provides the foundational knowledge and practical skills required to deliver a restorative practice hui and attain an industry accreditation.

Amber Williams, Resolution Institute CEO, said: “I am delighted that we are able to launch this pathway to restorative practice accreditation. By offering multiple entry points, including recognition of prior learning and university-based training, we are ensuring that practitioners from different communities and sectors can access accreditation in ways that respect their journeys”. 

The Director of the Centre Justine O’Reilly said: “This accreditation acknowledges the professionalism, diversity, and maturity of the restorative field. The accreditation framework reflects a growing recognition of restorative practice as a distinct and skilled profession. It will contribute to consistent standards, increased credibility, and stronger outcomes for communities engaging in restorative processes”. 

For more information about pathways to accreditation, visit the Resolution Institute website: Restorative Practice Accreditation in Aotearoa New Zealand. Questions and enquiries about the Resolution Institute can be directed to Elton Goonan, Resolution Institute New Zealand General Manager (elton.goonan@resolution.institute).

The next Restorative Practice Accreditation Course will take place on October 31 – November 1 2025, in Wellington. Enrolments are now open and can be made on the Resolution Institute website, Restorative Practice Accreditation.

For more information about the Restorative Foundations course, visit the Kāpuhipuhi Wellington Uni Professional webpage, or contact the Diana Unwin Chair in Restorative Justice (restorativejustice@vuw.ac.nz). 

The next foundation course starts on 13 October 2025, and enrolments can be made on the Kāpuhipuhi Wellington Uni-Professional’s website, Restorative Foundations: Principles and Applications of Restorative Practice.

About the micro-credential 

The Restorative Foundations: Principles and Applications of Restorative Practice micro-credential course has been developed and delivered in partnership with Te Ngāpara | Centre for Restorative Practice. Facilitated by Jeremy Simons and Taylor Hill, this 8-week course builds core knowledge of restorative principles, contexts and applications, and develops reflective, practice-ready skills. The next intake begins 13 October 2025. Enrolments are open now.  

What you will cover includes: 

• origins, principles and purposes of restorative practice 

• applications across systems and settings, including the justice context 

• benefits of using restorative practices, for people who have caused harm or been harmed, and for the wider community 

---

Resolution Institute is the peak industry body across dispute resolution disciplines in Australia and Aotearoa, New Zealand. We are a vibrant community of mediators, arbitrators, expert determiners, adjudicators, restorative justice practitioners and other dispute resolution professionals.

Te Ngāpara, Centre for Restorative Practice, Te Herenga Waka is one of a few organisations world-wide that combine restorative theory, research and practice.

Kāpuhipuhi Wellington-Uni Professional offers Aotearoa New Zealand’s most complete range of contemporary skills training—providing accessible and industry-led education to learners through short courses, micro-credentials, and programmes.   We were established early 2021, as a 100% owned subsidiary of Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington as professional learning strategic partner to the University.