Iwi Chairs Pleased with Budget Commitment to Whanau Ora

Whanau Ora Partnership Group Iwi Chair, Raniera (Sonny) Tau, is pleased to see the momentum of Whānau Ora being maintained with the Budget decisions announced today.

“We could not be better pleased that the promise and the potential demonstrated in Whanau Ora has been extended through the significant investment in navigator funding ($49.8m)” said Mr Tau.

“The navigator concept has proven to be a practical, meaningful way of helping families to achieve their aspirations.

Indeed as the Herald’s story today showed us, it makes a real difference to families who have “forgotten how to dream”.

“The Iwi Leaders congratulate the Minister for Whanau Ora on staying true to the kaupapa of Whanau Ora – which is not just about the performance and business of government agencies and services, but more importantly about working with whānau, to develop plans and create pathways for better times ahead”.

“We are also pleased at the new funding ($35m) to improve housing outcomes for whānau Maori and the dedicated funding to support Homestart.

As they say in Waikato, ‘Māku anō e hanga tōku whare’, literally I will build my own home.

This has been an eternal vision from our whānau, to be independent, to take care of our own whānau, to create a warm and safe shelter from harm”.

“It is also very pleasing to see the increase in benefit support of $25 a week for families with children; and more financial support to low-­income whānau not on a benefit.

This is a very good decision to invest in whānau wellbeing to this extent and we believe it will do much to increase opportunities and optimism across the motu”.

“There are a range of other things that will assist Whānau Ora across the Budget package – the out of school care support ($8m); the increased childcare assistance, and the increased Student Allowance rates for families with children”.

“But in truth, the greatest resource for our whānau is of course themselves.

The iwi leaders in the Whanau Ora Partnership Group come to the table with our commitment to our whānau driving our every decision.

While we welcome the moves made today that support our whānau, we are just as determined that we will go through every bottom line, pore over every budget item announced to ensure that no harm or hardship will result for whānau”.

ENDS

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