Around 100 Wellington whānau groups are trialling a Whānau Ora funding tool developed by Te Puni Kōkiri and the Funding Information Service (FIS).

Regional Director Hata Wilson said the idea to develop the funding tool came as a result of whānau wanting to know how to access funding to implement plans they had developed alongside their Whānau Ora provider. In most cases, whānau tended to rely on the Whānau Integration Innovation and Engagement Fund (WIIE) available through Te Puni Kōkiri.

“Very few people even knew about FIS who provide funding information available in New Zealand via three separate searchable computer databases: FundView, BreakOut and CorporateCitizens,” said Hata.

“Whānau can start the search for funding information themselves – they don’t necessarily have to start with the WIIE fund,” Hata said. “Now whānau have a tool to use as an aide in achieving their financial and educational aspirations stated in their whānau plans.”

Hata said the trial ends in June 2012 and the findings will be used to identify barriers whānau experience in sourcing information about financial resources.