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Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell says the role being played by marae in addressing the housing crisis is a pointer to what can be achieved by Whanau Ora once it is fully operational.
Mr Flavell has visited Te Puea Marae in south Auckland which has offered respite and assistance for dozens of homeless whanau.
He says he’s not comfortable with marae doing what should be the responsibility of the state, but its expression of manaakitanga is showing up holes in the existing systems.
"If it is that the marae is able to find some placements for them working with some of the state, I think to get placements within two or three days then there's a hell of alot of work that the state should be doing over and above just waiting for a crisis to happen and then go to it. Again, a tribute to Te Puea, Manurewa and any other marae that's even thinking about it but there's a hell of alot of work to be done by the state to try and have some join ups and I honestly believe that this is where Whanau Ora navigators will be so important because they are the link", says Mr Flavell.
Te Ururoa Flavell says the idea of whanau ora navigators is that they will provide a bridge between whanau and institutions of the state.
FULL INTERVIEW: TE URUROA FLAVELL
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