Listen Now: 
Download AudioNew research has found thousands of whanau Māori in Te Waipounamu are thriving as a result of programmes funded by Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu, the South Island Whānau Ora commissioning agency.
An evaluation by Christchurch-based Ihi Research of one of the agency’s investment rounds found a $2.40 return for every dollar invested.
Board chair Tā Mark Solomon says the policy is creating jobs for Māori, freeing them from State dependency.
He says while attacks on Maori funding during the election campaign indicate a rough ride ahead for Maori, whanau ora needs to continue as a model for service delivery.
“The results are just too good to scrap it. You’ve had three reports now on Whānau Ora, all saying it is working, the last one done by the Auditor General – the recommendations were all the crown agencies need to step in and work with Whanau Ora, they need to be investing in it,” he says.
ACT is calling for Whānau Ora to be brought under the Ministry of Health.
RELATED NEWS
