Te Ururoa Flavell
MP for Waiariki

February 15, 2012

Select Committee hearing on Whānau Ora dispels recent criticism says Flavell

Maori Party MP for Waiariki, Te Ururoa Flavell, is challenging the critics of Whānau Ora following this morning’s Māori Affairs Select Committee hearing in which Te Puni Kokiri presented progress on Whānau Ora.

“The evidence provided to the committee showed Whanau Ora has been seen as a significant opportunity for all families involved to respond to the needs of the whanau as a whole,” said Mr Flavell.

“The presentation put a stop to the spurious claims around ‘middleclass welfarism’ and instead gave tangible proof about how the approach is assisting and enabling families to find their own solutions,” he adds

“The evidence also debunks recent claims about ‘brown providers’ and about how Whānau Ora is taking money from other departments.”

“Whanau Ora is premised on delivering better results for families - it's an inclusive approach that seems to be resonating with many cultures.”

"It's a fundamentally different concept than the way some are describing it. Whanau Ora isn't a service - it's about building service capability and whanau engagement, so that whanau can manage their own lives.”

"It's great to see the shift from outputs to outcomes; from talk to action. Let's place some faith in our families; stop treating them as the problem and instead become solution-focused,” ends Mr Flavell.

ENDS

© Scoop Media