May 17, 2024
Social investment extension of whānau model
A former head of the South Island Whānau Ora commissioning agency is welcoming the coalition Government’s embrace of social investment.
The Social Wellbeing Agency is being remodelled as the Social Investment Agency to drive the approach, which involves greater use of data to target support.
Helen Leahy, who currently manages the operations of Ohakune-based iwi Ngāti Rangi, says it’s already part of the government toolbox.
“Social investment was what they were talking about when they were setting up Oranga Tamariki – the aim for instance in section 7AA was to enable whanau, hapu and iwi to be responsible for the outcomes for better life chances for children – that’s about social investment,” she says.
Helen Leahy says if it is to have any chance of success, the new agency needs to be owned by Maori for Maori with Maori, not the standard government approach of add Maori and stir.