January 22, 2020
Funding rethink leaves surplus for commissioning agencies
Whānau throughout New Zealand is set to benefit from an extra three million dollars that will go directly to Whānau Ora Commissioning Agencies.
The Minister for Whānau Ora Minister Peeni Henare has announced an extra $3 million for Whānau Ora commissioning agencies, undercutting a claim by the North Island commissioning agency he was channelling whanau ora money to government departments.
Including previous funding boosts, it means the agencies will now receive $87 million this year between them.
He says Budget 2019 included $20 million to explore new localised whānau ora commissioning.
That process is now complete and allocations will be announced shortly.
The remaining $3 million will be redirected back into the commissioning agencies this year, and consideration will be given to extending this further.
Mr Henare says an independent review in 2018 identified an increasing demand for whānau ora and suggested exploring other commissioning options – specifically local commissioning in the North Island.
This would mean funding community organisations directly to invest in whānau and support them to achieve their aspirations.
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