April 11, 2019
Whānau ora funding one in four chance
The head Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu says after five years of positive results it's time for a big boost in resources for whānau ora.
The South Island commissioning agency is holding a symposium today at the newly reopened Christchurch Town Hall for Whānau Ora initiatives from around the motu to share their stories.
Helen Leahy says in its five years Te Pūtahitanga has been able to fund fewer than a quarter of the applications that come through its door.
"We've had over 800 applications in the last five years and invested in 1899. That's not good enough. You're asking whānau to put themselves on the line, to go the extra mile, to try to find solutions to create better opportunities for them and their mokopuna, and when we can't respond with the resources we know they need, it's so disheartening," she says.
The presence of Whānau Ora Minister Peeni Henare and Māori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta at the symposium is a sign of confidence in the kaupapa which she hopes will be picked up by their fellow ministers.
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