Listen Now: 
The head of South Island Whanau Ora commissioning agency Te Putahitanga o Te Waipounamu says the programme offers Aotearoa a chance to shift from a welfare state to a well being state.
A review panel appointed by Whanau Ora Minister Peeni Henare was in Christchurch yesterday.
Helen Leahy says she was able to share an evaluation by Christchurch based Ihi Research of some of the 140 initiatives the agency has supported.
She also had research from Lincoln University economists Paul Dalziel and Carolyn Saunders on the economic impact of the programme and how it differed from the mainstream approach.
"When you put the emphasis primarily with government and with public service you are essentially just building up a welfare state whereas when you invest in the citizens of that country you are investing in well being so there are key drivers in connecting to whanau that can actually save money but also make enduring change because of that intergenerational impact," Ms Leahy says.
The Ihi analysis showed whanau used their experience and worked in a strengths-based way to create opportunities for social and cultural connection and make a difference for their tamariki and mokopuna.
!["p_facebook"]("/site/uma/images/story_img/facebook.jpg")
& !["p_twitter"]("/site/uma/images/story_img/twitter.jpg")
Copyright © 2018, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com
RELATED NEWS
