Whanau Tahi a finalist in Hi-Tech awards

Thursday 31 March, 2016

Whanau Tahi a finalist in Hi-Tech awards

Last night, at simultaneous events in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, Whanau Tahi was announced as a finalist in the 2016 New Zealand Hi-Tech awards.

Whanau Tahi is one of six finalists in the new Maori Innovation category, sponsored by Callaghan Innovation. A record 22 organisations submitted entries into the new award category.

Stephen Keung, CEO of the software company, said this was great acknowledgement for his team, but also recognition for the vision of its parent organisation, Waipareira Trust and its CEO John Tamihere.

“Waipareira realised very early on that methods of delivering social services were not working and that technology could help enable positive change,” Stephen said.

In 2009, Waipareira sought a technology solution but found none that was informed by their deep knowledge of the social services sector and whānau needs. So they started their own software solutions company, Whanau Tahi, and built their own system: Whānau Tahi Navigator.

The technology has been developed entirely around patient or whānau needs. That concept is revolutionary in Aotearoa and globally – other systems focus on funder needs or resolving one issue, e.g. diabetes. Whanau Tahi Navigator effectively puts whanau in the driver’s seat of their own health and social services plan. Ownership of that plan means that outcomes improve, i.e. reducing recidivism or huge reductions in presentations to emergency departments. For frontline kaimahi (case workers), the software vastly reduces admin and paperwork, meaning more time to spend with clients.

“John Tamihere has been staunch in the knowledge that Maori hold the key to solving issues, “said Stephen. “This accolade proves that.”

Started in 1994, the NZ Hi-Tech Awards are one of the technology sector’s most sought-after accolades, awarded to the country’s most successful high-tech companies, and highest achieving individuals.

“We are now supplying our technology and consultancy services to a growing list of organisations both in Aotearoa and globally. We have seen that indigenous and vulnerable communities face similar challenges, whether they are located in Rotorua, Sydney Australia or Atlanta Georgia. We can address those challenges better than other health technology providers.” Stephen said.

For more information on Whanau Tahi go to www.whanautahi.com for more information about its parent company go to www.waipareira.com

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