Media Release
1 July 2013
For Immediate Release

A collective approach to engaging whanau

Whanau Ora ki Tuwharetoa announced today that they have secured new funding from Te Puni Kokiri for an innovative operational programme to enhance the health and well-being provided to families within the Tuwharetoa area.

Ariki, Sir Tumu te Heuheu said today that he was pleased the funding had been received by Whanau Ora ki Tuwharetoa as the new model was a key part of the long-term iwi strategy moving forward.

“It is clear that Whanau Ora presents a number of unique opportunities for whanau, and will create an environment to foster the generation of aspirations, that will help to empower whanau to move from a current state of dependence and disconnection to a future epitomised by greater choices, self-determination and better outcomes for all,” said Sir Tumu.

Whanau Ora Ki Tūwharetoa Interim Chairman, Dylan Tahau said that after a three year application and review cycle, the interim Board are grateful firstly to everyone who has contributed to the application process and secondly to have finally been accepted to be a part of Whanau Ora and selected to receive the funding.

“This process has been about exploring ways that we can improve the lives of our people through enhancing the way health and social services are provided,” he said. “We have listened to our whanau explain their needs, and believe the new model for service delivery will strengthen what is on offer and directly improve the health and wellbeing of our people.”

Focused on collaboration between existing health and social service providers in the Tuwharetoa area, the new collective will work together with whanau to identify needs through the support of a Whanau Navigator.

“The Whanau Navigator is a fundamental part of this new way of working,” explains Mr Tahau. “The Navigators will work directly with the whanau to identify the needs, rather than telling them what they think their needs are. We are focused on doing what it takes to improve the lives of our people, to stop some slipping further and further into poverty and vulnerability.”

The new framework covers the key broad areas of social support, cultural enhancement, environmental protection, economic growth and political engagement and through these the collective are focused on creating better and more sustainable outcomes for whanau. Evaluation forms a critical aspect of the new model so that at the end of the three year funding cycle, the group will be able to report to iwi and its stakeholders, as well as Te Puni Kokiri on the outcomes.

“We are working towards some lofty ambitions, as in 50 years we want our whānau to have access to healthy kai and never be hungry; be fluent in Te Reo Māori and practicing our tikanga and kawa at home and on the marae; have well paid, safe jobs at home and beyond; be well educated both academically and in practical skills; be healthy in mind, body and spirit and our homes are warm, safe and free of negative addictions; be leading the sustainable development of our collectively owned lands; live in a healthy natural environment where we are kaitiaki,” said Mr Tahau.

The four existing agencies joining forces under the new Whanau Ora Ki Tūwharetoa model are Tuwharetoa Health, Te Korowai Roopu Tautoko, Tongariro Whanau Support and Te Kupenga Charitable Trust. They expect the new integrated governance model to be in place from July 2013 and the new Whanau Navigators to be in place shortly thereafter.

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