5 May 2015

Delays in spending damage Whanau Ora

Criticism from the Auditor General that a greater proportion of Whanau Ora funds could have been directed to families rather than administration is something that needs to be investigated thoroughly, says Social Development Spokesperson Carmel Sepuloni.

“To quote the report ‘Te Puni Kokiri could have spent a greater proportion of funds on those whanau who Whanau Ora was meant to help.’

“Of most concern is the fact that delays in spending meant that the people who needed the help were not getting it.”

Labour’s Maori Development Spokesperson Nanaia Mahuta says: “ It’s also worrying that the Auditor General’s office could not get a consistent explanation of the aims of Whanau Ora from the people they spoke to. The report says the situation around Whanau Ora was unclear and confusing.

“It’s doubly disturbing that the writers of the report found that they were getting mixed signals from the government departments involved in Whanau Ora.”

Carmel Sepuloni says: “The report found that the Whanau Ora approach of working with the family is inconsistent with the funding models of both the Ministry of Health and Social Development. This is problematic.

“However as the Auditor General Lyn Provost has said this is an innovative idea. Labour supports Whanau Ora but wants it to work.”

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