Rā whānau ki a Whānau Ora!

Today marks the first decade of a revolutionary approach to supporting whānau, Whānau Ora.

“It is fitting that in the midst of the turmoil of a COVID-19 environment, we take stock of the transformational policy approach that Whānau Ora has now normalised as a means to support whānau to manage whatever comes their way,” said Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu Pouārahi, Helen Leahy.

“April 8 is also the birthday of the founder of Whānau Ora, Dame Tariana Turia, so we mihi to her on this special day, for her insight, her imagination and her perseverance in creating such a significant platform for change.”

Ten years ago when Dame Turia was appointed the inaugural Minister for Whānau Ora she said, “By building on the strengths of the entire whānau, it will require agencies to work together in better and smarter ways to support whānau and families. I am confident that Whānau Ora has the potential to help all families, right across New Zealand”.

“It is because of this approach, our network of agencies and their reach in to our communities through our Whānau Ora navigators that Te Pūtahitanga has been able to connect and assist whānau through our Manaaki20 response,” said Leahy. The findings from our Manaaki20 survey show that indeed while the majority of survey participants are Māori, we are also receiving calls for support from Pākehā, Pasifika and Asian whānau members.”

The level of need expressed by whānau indicates that many families are really struggling,” said Ms Leahy. Over 1490 surveys have come in over the last fortnight, representing close to 6500 whānau members who are experiencing compounding issues, making it difficult to stretch limited finances to meet their needs.”

Some of the concerns shared with us reveal the level of challenge in many households:

Kai just anything will help us at this time we have some rice and a few other essentials couple of noodles and milk

There’s 8 (39 - 2 years old) of us in a 3 bdrm, kai is a huge thing for us. My sanity.

“Whānau Ora is about trying to support whānau to be restored to a sense of wellbeing, whatever it takes” said Ms Leahy. What is remarkable throughout such hard times is an overwhelming strength, as whānau talk of hope, of faith, and of togetherness as being their biggest resource in moving forward”.

We have had hard times before earthquakes and loss of life so we know how to get thru tough times.

Background

The implementation of Whānau Ora has occurred in two phases: Phase One (2010 - 2013), focused on building the capability of providers to design and deliver whānau-centred services.

Phase Two (2014 - present day), moved implementation by Government to three non-government Commissioning Agencies to invest directly into their communities. This means funding decisions are made closer to communities and allows for flexible and innovative approaches to meet the needs and aspirations of whānau.

The three Commissioning Agencies:

Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu works with whānau in the South Island.

The North Island Whānau Ora Commissioning agency works with whānau in the North Island.

Pasifika Futures is dedicated to working with Pacific Island families across the country.

Whānau Ora Commissioning Agencies are contracted to fund and support initiatives which deliver the Government’s Whānau Ora outcomes.

They act as brokers in matching the needs and aspirations of whānau with initiatives that assist them to increase their capability.

Find out more at www.manaaki20.org

Te Waipounamu whānau can complete the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Manaakicall​​​​