Darroch Ball MP

Spokesperson for Social Policy
30 JUNE 2016

Whanau Ora Cash-Cow Rumbles On Unchecked

The public of New Zealand have been waiting for one detailed, independent economic analysis on Whanau Ora since July 2014, and they will have to keep waiting, says New Zealand First.

“New Zealand First made an Official Information Act request asking if any such report had been prepared and we were advised none existed,” says Darroch Ball, New Zealand First’s Spokesperson for Social Policy.

“Te Puni Kokiri said, ‘the information requested is not held by the Minister for Whānau Ora (Minister of Māori Affairs, Te Ururoa Flavell), the minister’s office, or Te Puni Kokiri. I have no grounds for believing the information is held by another department, minister or organisation.’

“So we do not know how much taxpayer money this scheme is wasting even though the government’s ‘social investment approach’ demands measurable data and measurable positive outcomes must be found before taxpayers’ money can continue to be spent.

“Also, Minister Flavell could not produce any solid evidence of an economic report in Parliament today.

“It’s time he and the National government realised Whanau Ora is a complete failure and not working for ordinary Māori,” Mr Ball says.

Notes for editors:

• The number of homeless Maori in Auckland has increased 10% alone this year.

• More than half the homeless in Wellington are Māori.

• 40% of all those on the social housing waiting list are Māori.

• The number of Māori youth imprisoned has increased from 58% to 63% since Whanau Ora began.

ENDS

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