WEDNESDAY MAY 25 2011

A major transformation in the way health and social services are designed and delivered to New Zealand families will be the subject of a special panel discussion at the 2011 national domestic violence conference next month (June).

Toitoi Manawa: Inspiring Change will be hosted by Te Kupenga – the National Network of Stopping Violence – at Wellington’s Tapu Te Ranga Marae from Wednesday June 8 to Friday June 10.

In this year’s Budget, the Government announced that it will invest an additional $30 million in Whanau Ora over the next four years including $11.25 million in the coming year.

Currently, 25 provider collectives involving 158 health and social service providers are working collaboratively to begin delivery of this innovative approach to engage whanau and families.

The new funding will ensure Whanau Ora is supported in at least eight new provider collectives in a range of new locations.

Te Kupenga national manager Brian Gardner says the panel discussion will be a timely debate and update on an inclusive, culturally-anchored initiative that requires government agencies to work together with families rather than with individuals.

The panellists will include Di Grennell (Director, Whanau Ora, Te Puni Kokiri); Betty Sio (Chief Executive, Pacific Islands Safety and Prevention Project, Auckland); Trevor Wilson (Pouwhakahaere, Whakatu Marae, Nelson); and Tim Metcalfe (Chief Executive, Jigsaw Whanganui, Wanganui).

The debate will take place at 3.50 pm on Thursday June 9.

Brian Gardner says Whanau Ora has ended up being the major buzz word for health and social services agencies since it was announced by Minister Tariana Turia in 2010.

“For many Maori, it means a chance to be supported by the Government to work ‘above the radar’ in ways they always had or had always wanted to. For many tauiwi agencies, however, Whanau Ora raises uncertainty and anxiety as they feel the ‘ground shifting’ and expectations changing as to how they will be expected to work.

“This panel discussion will be a fantastic opportunity for participants to hear from a vastly experienced and culturally diverse group about what Whanau Ora means for their work and the work of their agencies as well as the strengths and challenges that will make it ‘fly’ or just become another forgotten ‘brand new thing’.”

Toitoi Manawa: Inspiring Change will bring together a cross-section of innovative presenters and participants from community and government to share, inspire and lead thinking in preventing domestic violence.

The conference begins with a powhiri at 2.00 pm on Wednesday June 8. For more information, go to www.nnsvs.org.nz.

ENDS

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