In 2010 Whānau Ora was launched. Whānau Ora is an inclusive approach to providing services and opportunities to families across New Zealand. It aims to empower families as a whole, rather than focusing separately on individual family members and their problems.

In Budget 2010, Whānau Ora received $134.3 million of new funding over four years. In addition to this new money, participating providers will retain the funding they receive through existing contracts, which will be developed into Whānau Ora contracts.

“Whānau Ora represents a significant investment in whānau by this Government and I am excited that this innovative approach has generated so much interest,” says Hon Tariana Turia, Minister Responsible for Whānau Ora.

Fund

The Whānau Integration, Innovation and Engagement (WIIE) Fund was also launched in 2010. The WIIE fund is available to support whānau to engage with each other, with other whānau, communities and providers.

There is $6.6 million available for WIIE activities that build whānau capability, strengthen whānau connections, support the development of whānau leadership and enhance best outcomes for whānau.

The fund is open to Whānau Ora providers selected through the Expressions of Interest process; as well as NGOs like iwi, hapū and rūnanga; whānau trusts; and marae committees.

Providers

A first group of 25 Whānau Ora provider collectives were announced in 2010. There was a huge level of interest from 350 providers wanting to be in that first grouping. Forty percent of the proposals were from national and regional provider collectives – seven with a national focus. Proposals were received from Māori providers, Pacific providers, disability providers and refugee and migrant organisations.

Te Puni Kōkiri, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Social Development are currently working with the 25 provider collectives to complete Programmes of Action and obtain the support needed to shift to providing whānau-centred services.

Hon Tariana Turia, Minister Responsible for Whānau Ora says, “the calibre of the proposals was very high with an impressive number of provider collectives wanting to work collaboratively to deliver Whānau Ora”.

For more information go to: http://www.tpk.govt.nz/en/whakamahia/whanau-ora/