Ake – Expanding Access and Possibility

Over the last three years, Ake has been part of an ongoing conversation about how we can use technology to support men’s behaviour change work in real time. Developed as a mobile app, Ake offered users of domestic, family, and sexualised violence (DFSV) programmes a place to reflect, learn, and stay connected between sessions. It provided daily content, self-reflection tools, and a digital space to stay focused on change.

With the evaluation of Ake now concluding, we have taken some time to reflect on where Ake sits within the broader ecosystem of support. We found that while having Ake on app stores had some value, the benefits were limited. Requiring downloads and logins created barriers that ran counter to our views on accessibility and openness that sit at the heart of our work.

As a result, we are looking at transitioning Ake from a mobile app to a web-based platform. This will mean that anyone, including practitioners, users of DFSV programmes, students, and community members, will be able to access the content directly through a browser without needing to log in. Removing the gatekeeper of an app store and a password aligns with our goal of making knowledge and tools for change freely available to all who seek them.

Even though Ake will no longer be available through the app stores, it will still be fully accessible on mobile devices. Whether you are using Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or another browser, you will be able to open Ake on your phone or tablet and experience it just as before. The only feature we will lose in this transition is the ability for facilitators (or Coaches, as they are called in the app) to send push notifications directly to users. However, our evaluation found that this feature was only being used in niche situations, so the trade-off for broader accessibility feels right for where Ake is heading.

We are also exploring an optional login feature from the main menu for those who want a more tailored experience. This would allow people to keep track of the content they have already seen, and enable integration with programmes or services that want to use Ake in more structured ways. In this space, features such as Discussions (the forum-like area for one-on-one communication between practitioners and clients) could continue to be used for sharing resources, setting reflective homework, and maintaining connection between sessions.

This shift reflects a broader truth we continue to learn in this work: technology is most useful when it brings people together. By moving to a web-based platform, Ake can better support collective learning, reflection, and growth, and continue its role as a digital companion to the work of change.

If you or your organisation are interested in supporting this next phase of Ake, whether through partnership, technical expertise, or funding, we would love to hear from you. The potential for Ake to grow and serve more people is significant, and together we can ensure it continues to play a meaningful role in restoring whānau wellbeing and strengthening the pathways to change.

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