Whanau Ora : Report of the Taskforce on Whanau-Centred Initiatives

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> transformed Māori sector on whānau has <strong>of</strong>ten been compromised
by lack <strong>of</strong> economies <strong>of</strong> scale, fragmented sectoral approaches, and an
alignment with funder expectations ra<strong>the</strong>r than actual whānau needs.
Moreover, <strong>the</strong> focus has largely been on crisis management, support
and care, with relatively less emphasis on positive development and <strong>the</strong>
enhancement <strong>of</strong> whānau capabilities.
2.4.5 The separation <strong>of</strong> social and economic development has been a fur<strong>the</strong>r
impediment to progress. Health and social service models <strong>of</strong> practice have
been relatively silent on <strong>the</strong> promotion <strong>of</strong> whānau economic growth even
though <strong>the</strong> link between economic status and successful outcomes is
well known. A significant challenge for <strong>the</strong> future is an approach to
whānau development which bridges social, cultural and economic domains
so that full participation in society, <strong>the</strong> economy and education can be
realised. In this respect, some iwi and some metropolitan providers might
have <strong>the</strong> advantage <strong>of</strong> already being able to <strong>of</strong>fer a comprehensive range <strong>of</strong>
programmes, with potential for even greater integration.
2.4.6 Meanwhile <strong>the</strong> <strong>Taskforce</strong> notes <strong>the</strong> extensive infrastructure that has
developed over <strong>the</strong> past two decades, <strong>the</strong> establishment <strong>of</strong> competent Māori
providers operating within iwi organisations or in metropolitan and urban
areas, and <strong>the</strong> innovative approaches to <strong>the</strong> promotion <strong>of</strong> whānau wellbeing.
The <strong>Taskforce</strong> also recognises <strong>the</strong> significance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> foundations that have
been established and <strong>the</strong> potential for <strong>the</strong>m to be fur<strong>the</strong>r developed in <strong>the</strong>
interests <strong>of</strong> whānau social, cultural and economic wellbeing.
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