Hon Dr Pita Sharples
Minister of Maori Affairs
EMBARGOED TO 10.00am

29 October 2009 Media Release
Kaitoko Whanau will strengthen communities
Maori communities will become a little more resilient and a step closer to self-determination following the launch of the Kaitoko Whanau programme today, says the Minister of Maori Affairs Dr Pita Sharples.

“Kaitoko Whanau (whanau advocates) will work in communities to support families under stress, to ensure they are getting access to the services and resources they are entitled to, and to help smooth their dealings with government and support agencies,” said Dr Sharples.

“Kaitoko Whanau will be recruited by, placed with and supervised by communities themselves, through their own organisations. They will be closely accountable to the people, and the people will have a say about how the Kaitoko Whanau work,” he said.

“This represents a further step towards whanau ora - whanau and communities taking control by taking responsibility, and looking after each other in times of need.

“The Treaty partnership is represented by Te Puni Kokiri's support and the government funding that enables this to happen, to help kick off a process of rebuilding resilience and strength in Maori communities, on the pathway towards rangatiratanga and self-reliance,” said Dr Sharples.

“Up to 50 dedicated workers around the country will be well-placed to see a need and offer pro-active support to the whole whanau under stress. They will stand alongside the whanau, to pull together a package of support from a range of agencies, to help the whanau maintain control of their own situation.”

Kaitoko Whanau will be based within existing Maori service providers. Around Te Upoko o te Ika they include Te Runanganui o Taranaki Whanui ki te Upoko o te Ika, Kokiri Marae, Muaupoko Tribal Authority, Te Runanga o Toa Rangatira, and Whakatu Marae in Nelson.

ENDS

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