Annette King
Social Welfare spokesperson
6 May 2010 Media Statement
Whanau ora – Don’t believe the hype

The Government’s Whanau Ora policy has failed to live up to the hype that it would transform social services in New Zealand, Labour Deputy Leader Annette King said today.

“More money is being put into John Key’s cycleway than is being allocated to Whänau Ora which until today, was being touted as a flagship social services policy,” Annette King said.

“The billion dollar figure Tariana Turia was bandying about gave the impression that Whanau Ora would be a major shift in social policy. Instead National’s stumped up just $134 million over four years.

“The Maori party calls it the first wave of funding. I’d call it more of a trickle.”

Annette King said it’s finally been revealed today that the Government will fund Whanau Ora from the Pathways to Partnership programme.

“That fund was set up by Labour to fully fund 800 Non-Government Organisations to deliver social services in communities,” Annette King said.

“Paula Bennett put the programme on hold which has had a huge effect on both large and small NGOs. Today’s announcement creates more uncertainty for those organisations.

“The question for John Key, Paula Bennett and Tariana Turia now is, which of the Pathways to Partnership NGOs will miss out because of funding being redirected to Whanau Ora?

“Today we were meant to find out more about Whanau Ora. What Kiwis have got is a continuation of the Government’s blancmange approach. You can try and grab hold of it, but there is nothing there.”

ENDS

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