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

Ideally whānau members will
choose <strong>the</strong> most appropriate
pathway <strong>of</strong> healing for <strong>the</strong>m.
Whānau need to be supplied
with <strong>the</strong> right information to
make informed choices but
ultimately … supported [in]
whatever choices <strong>the</strong>y make.
Whānau Self-Management
6.2.3 Whānau wellbeing is largely dependent on <strong>the</strong> capacity <strong>of</strong> whānau to
determine <strong>the</strong>ir own pathways and manage <strong>the</strong>ir own affairs. Most whānau
are already self-managing ins<strong>of</strong>ar as <strong>the</strong>y make <strong>the</strong>ir own decisions, care for
<strong>the</strong>ir own people and supply <strong>the</strong>ir own needs. They are knowledgeable about
<strong>the</strong>ir own communities, can access those goods and services necessary
for ongoing development, are active participants in a range <strong>of</strong> networks
and have patterns <strong>of</strong> leadership that provide continuity between <strong>the</strong> past
and <strong>the</strong> future. Self-managing whānau are able to draw on <strong>the</strong> skills <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir
own members in order to advance <strong>the</strong>ir collective interests. The assets <strong>the</strong>y
hold in common are well managed in accordance with <strong>the</strong>ir own traditions.
Importantly also, self-management is underpinned by a set <strong>of</strong> cultural
values and traditions that not only include a link to hapū, iwi and Māori
communities but also to values such as generosity, sharing, cooperation
and mutuality.
6.2.4 A whānau capacity for self-management may be diminished by illness,
lack <strong>of</strong> information, separation from o<strong>the</strong>r whānau households,
dysfunctional intra-whānau relationships, financial insecurity, inadequate
resources ei<strong>the</strong>r within <strong>the</strong> whānau or within wider communities, and an
absence <strong>of</strong> leadership.
6.2.5 Effective Whānau <strong>Ora</strong> services will support and streng<strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> leadership
in whānau. Sometimes self-management can be undermined by wellmeaning
agencies that assume leadership roles but without ensuring that
whānau leadership is developed to <strong>the</strong> point that self-management becomes
possible. Often whānau leadership is dismissed – sometimes because it
is not visible to helping agencies, or presents a threat to <strong>the</strong>m, or because
leadership is frequently matriarchal and not necessarily linked to perceived
status or obvious power.
Healthy Whānau Lifestyles
6.2.6 Because <strong>the</strong>y have influential, close and enduring relationships with each
o<strong>the</strong>r, whānau are in unique positions to promote lifestyles that can lead to
optimal health and wellbeing. Whānau can shape lifestyles by establishing
codes <strong>of</strong> conduct that will endorse healthy behaviours. Setting an example,
applying a consistent set <strong>of</strong> values, disseminating information to whānau
members and observing safe practices in homes will all contribute to
positive lifestyle choices. But lifestyles are also shaped by peers, societal
pressures, global fashions and public policies. While whānau sway is only
one determinant <strong>of</strong> lifestyle, it has <strong>the</strong> advantage <strong>of</strong> being a lifelong influence
with a capacity to mould healthy nutritional habits, establish guidelines for
appropriate conduct, model relationship building, and demonstrate good
parenting as well as positive ageing.
6.2.7 Although web-based communication can reduce distance, <strong>the</strong> provision
<strong>of</strong> a whānau basis for healthy lifestyles is made more difficult by whānau
mobility and geographic separation. Whānau influence must compete
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