May 21, 2021
Whanau Ora workers feel unrewarded in Budget
The chief executive of the North Island Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency is disappointed there is no extra funding for the kaupapa in this year’s Budget.
Minister Peeni Henare says last year’s boost covered two years, but John Tamihere says Whānau ora networks need to be working well to roll out the Budget’s Māori health and housing policies.
"It beggars belief that in the Budget Whānau Ora is lauded as one of the stand out wellbeing policies in the government suite. It should have been rewarded – I don't care how much, but you've got to reward your front line workers, the work they did during Covid and now with vaccinations and elsewhere, they should be acknowledged," he says.
Mr Tamihere says apart from that blemish it’s a great Budget for Māori, and the benefit increases will make a significant difference at the bottom end of town.
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