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Download AudioThe Audit Office says developing strong community relationships is critical to getting the best value out of programmes to improve outcomes for Māori.
The Auditor General has conducted performance reviews of four programmes: the Minsitry for Social Development’s He Poutama Rangatahi; the Māori Agribusiness Extension Programme run by the Ministry for Primary Industries; and two Education Ministry initiatives, Te Ahu o te Reo Māori and Whānau Engagement.
Performance auditor Kate Williams says they were all based on the principle that Maori know what was best for Maori.
“The public organisations running these initiatives gave iwi and providers who are delivering these initiatives in the community, they gave them flexibility to design and deliver these initiatives in a way that would work best for their communities and that’s something we saw across all four and that was only really possible because they have invested time to develop those relationships,” she says.
Ms Williams says the agencies were able to use Maori staff in the regions to facilitate relationships – although that could put those staff under pressure.
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