General Debate: Rahui Katene
Wednesday 17 June 2009; 3.25pm
'Whanau ora and Matariki Bill'

This last weekend, our co-leader, Tariana Turia, announced the establishment of a whanau ora Taskforce headed by Professor Mason Durie.

The aim of the taskforce is to focus on a new approach to whanau wellbeing – an approach which is singularly interested in the outcomes for whanau.

This is not about propping up bureaucracies with projects which never make the difference out in the real world.

This is a focus in which whanau ora is the driver; whanau wellbeing across health, education and social development becomes the priority.

We have had enough of projects limited by a focus only on indicators of disease or deficiencies. While we know that many statutory agencies are charged with provided services directed at whanau, the supply is often fragmented.

In the race for contestability of contracts, providers become distracted by the challenge of competition and are often distracted from the real goal in sight – the opportunity for whanau ora.

In addition to all the conflicts, we are acutely aware that agencies from various sectors do not always coordinate activities, and in too many occasions are fixated on the means rather than the ends.

To top it off, the compliance costs of managing contracts; the overlapping and blurred boundaries between funder and provider; and the piecemeal approach to single issues, single individuals have created a mindset in which crisis management is the prevailing mode of operation.

What we are doing today, is breaking the mould. We have the ability to change the vision to suit today’s realities and the Maori Party is proud to respond to that challenge.

We need the innovation and the capacity to create solutions.

The complicated and convoluted contracting practice of Government has stymied best practice

There has been a growth in the proliferation of providers, and a limited and narrow focus has dominated. Instead of promoting a strategic view, funders concentrate on the minutiae, reducing their interest to all that can be included in narrow objectives and indicators.

For example if we are treating Nan or Koro with a diabetes management plan then we should be educating the whole whanau about lifestyle changes to prevent diabetes; we should be addressing budget management to invest in healthy eating; we should be taking a comprehensive approach to ensure a whanau focus drives any interventions put in place.

I have some concerns, that the front end funder, say DHBs, are retaining funding which is intended to be open for tender right across their rohe, but instead they may keep the funding back at their own level of operation.

It is time for a fundamental overhaul of existing funding and delivery policies.

We want a new approach. We want to see an emphasis on relationships; investment in collaboration and co-operation; support provided for whanau in a holistic way rather than isolated individuals in a whanau.

And what better time to do that, than in the spirit of Matariki.

It is with much pleasure that I announce that tomorrow, I will be submitting to the ballot, the Mātāriki Māori New Year Bill 2009.

As we welcome the advent of the new year, and reflect on the year that has fallen, the Maori Party has chosen to put forward this Bill as our contribution to the Matariki Maori New Year.

Although this private members bill has been in the Maori Party since 2006, this is the first opportunity to put it in the Ballot in this, the 49th Parliament. The Bill proposes that Mātāriki must be observed as a public holiday throughout New Zealand on the day of the next new moon following the day in which it rises in the months of May or June.

Mr Speaker, tonight, in honour of Matariki, there will be a Matariki Lantern Parade take place at the top of Te Tau Ihu, in my home town Nelson.

Further south in Te Tai Tonga there is a star weaving event in my new home town of Christchurch; tukutuku panels are being woven in New Brighton; while here in Whanganui-a-Tara; where my children and grandchildren live any one of us can go down to Kura Gallery and visit the exhibition, Matariki, The Navigator. It’s a beautiful exhibition by seven Maori women artists which celebrates the significance of Matariki.

We too, in this House, can do something to celebrate Matariki – and that would be for widespread support for my Bill when it is drawn from the Ballot.

ENDS

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