September 25, 2012
Papakura Marae wins back Family Start mahi
Papakura Marae is gearing up to resume Family Start visits after being dumped from the programme earlier this year.
Chief executive Tony Kake says the Ministry of Social Development has accepted a bid to supply the service from the Kotahitanga Whanau Ora Collective, which the marae is part of.
Kotahitanga also includes Mangere-based Turuki Healthcare, which also lost its Family Start contract in the March purge, Huakina Development Trust and Te Kaha o Te Rangatahi.
Mr Kake says negotiations are continuing about the scope of the revived service.
He is rehiring staff, as many as were laid off when at risk families with young children, that Papakura was working with were referred to Manukau Family Start.
Meanwhile, Te Whanau o Waipareira continues to deliver the service to West Auckland families while it awaits a decision from the High Court judicial review of the loss of its contract.