Merran Lawler is the Pou Ārahi/CEO of Te Kupenga Whakaoti Mahi Patunga/National Network of Family Violence Services (NZ).Originally from Australia, Merran has a long history of working with and managing large multi-disciplinary teams.  A former lawyer working in and managing community legal centres, she has significant insights into the ways in which systems often persecute and marginalise the very people they are intended to help.  An unapologetic feminist, Merran maintains that working with men to stop violence at its source and ensure compassionate accountability is the most feminist work she can do.  She was the key driver of Te Kupenga's Call to Action released in May 2024.Merran co-convenes the Systems Working Group, a  platform bringing together government and community sectors to address issues which inhibit effective prevention and response systems in the family violence and sexual violence sectors.  Merran is an appointed "critical friend" of Te Puna Aonui, Aotearoa/New Zealand's government agency charged with improving the whole-of-government approach to family and sexual violence and which has led out Te Aorerekura, the country's first National Strategy to Eliminate Family & Sexual Violence.