July 01, 2016
Anecdotes don’t cut Whanau Ora mustard
Tamaki Makaurau MP Peeni Henare says anecdotal evidence doesn't cut it when politicians try to understand Whanau Ora.
Labour MPs this week grilled Maori Development Minister for measurable outcomes for the Maori Party's flagship policy.
Mr Henare says he's a big supporter of the kaupapa and agrees with its intent, but he's not going to be fobbed off with pretty pictures.
"When we know what some of the bad statistics are around homelessness and health and education, they are data that tell us things aren't going well, so what we are looking for from things like Whanau Ora, and it's not just Whanau Ora, is hard data about what they're doing," he says.
He's seen Whanau Ora providers try to pass off some of their caseload on Te Puea Marae, which indicates there are still problems with delivery.
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