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

to replicate with a new funding agency. There was a sense <strong>of</strong> unease about
moving into a new environment which might not have a long-term future.
In addition, providers who had an interest in whānau wellbeing, but were
not primarily focused on whānau, were anxious that <strong>the</strong>y might be doubly
disadvantaged – unable to qualify for whānau-centred funding because
whānau was a peripheral interest, yet no longer seen as relevant to an
existing funding agency because whānau was a part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> interest.
4.5.4 The <strong>Taskforce</strong> frequently heard that, if a whānau funding agency was not
strongly linked into regions and local communities, it would not be well
placed to address <strong>the</strong> variable needs <strong>of</strong> whānau from region to region.
Hui participants emphasised <strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong> decision-making occurring
as close as possible to whānau, At one hui <strong>the</strong> principle <strong>of</strong> subsidiarity was
recommended – <strong>the</strong> devolution <strong>of</strong> responsibility to <strong>the</strong> smallest possible
unit. Apart from a closer relationship between funders and providers, <strong>the</strong>
subsidiarity principle would enable local need to be better reflected in
funding decisions. There were o<strong>the</strong>r views, however, that local decisionmaking
might be subject to capture by particular factions and, as a result,
some providers could be disadvantaged. In that case it was argued that
<strong>the</strong>re would be some advantages in having a national body sufficiently
removed from parochial interests to support programmes that were most
likely to deliver <strong>the</strong> desired outcomes.
4.5.5 The <strong>Taskforce</strong> agrees that, although some concerns have been raised
(such as regional responsiveness, protection <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> total funding available
for whānau programmes, and funding for providers whose work is
relevant though not necessarily central to whānau), <strong>the</strong> establishment <strong>of</strong>
a new funding agency for whānau-centred programmes has compelling
potential benefits, including a simplified and integrated system <strong>of</strong>
contracting that can focus on whānau collectives.
4.6 Whānau <strong>Ora</strong> as a Foundation for
Future Generations
4.6.1 At <strong>the</strong> engagement hui <strong>the</strong>re was strong support for policies and
programmes that would benefit young people and future generations.
Whānau were seen as obvious sites for nurturing infants and children and
ensuring that <strong>the</strong>y grew up with positive values, healthy lifestyles, secure
cultural identities and an ability to participate fully in society. The <strong>Taskforce</strong>
heard many accounts <strong>of</strong> whānau who had successfully raised large families
enabling <strong>the</strong>m to play active and positive roles with <strong>the</strong>ir own people and
in a variety <strong>of</strong> communities. However, <strong>the</strong>re were also accounts <strong>of</strong> whānau
whose circumstances had not been conducive to positive outcomes for
young people; <strong>the</strong> consequences <strong>of</strong> which were evident in preventable
health incidents, low educational attainment, <strong>of</strong>fending, violence, cultural
alienation, and impaired interpersonal relationships.
Whānau <strong>Ora</strong> brings our
whānau back into <strong>the</strong>
collective. Back to simplicity
and <strong>the</strong> amazing models
from our tupūna.
35