Will Whanau Ora address inequality?

Whanau Ora may help address inequality if the right funding and structures are in place, said the Green Party today.

“Big inequalities still exist between Maori and non-Maori, so it makes sense to directly address the needs of Maori families with tailored services, said Green Party Co-Leader Metiria Turei.

The Government released the Whanau Ora taskforce’s report into social services today. Although Prime Minister John Key has already stated that not all its recommendations will be supported.

“Working with whanau on holistic solutions that address their needs makes sense,” Mrs Turei said.

“If kids are missing school or getting sick regularly it makes sense to look at their housing needs and income support, as well as any health issues and to provide wrap around services that address the causes of problems.

“But Whanau Ora won’t work unless there is new money put in to it. The Government cannot ask the already deeply stretched social service sector to do more with the same or less money, it just won’t work.

“Rolling out a new model aimed at early intervention and prevention will save money in the long run but it requires significant commitment upfront.

Mrs Turei added, that the Green Party was concerned that setting up a trust to run Whanau Ora will mean money that could be spent on providing services will be used on a new bureaucracy. Existing structures need to be improved rather than duplicated.

“Empowering Maori collectives to address social issues is a positive move, but we don't want to see funding diverted from the public sector to private groups that are set up to make a profit.

“The taskforce has released its report and we are now waiting to see what action the Government takes before we decide our position. We would certainly oppose anything that takes us in the direction of privatising the benefit system,” said Mrs Turei.

Whanau Ora task force report is available at - http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/1004/WhanauOra.pdf