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

Relational Management
6.4.5 Key to Whānau <strong>Ora</strong> are relationships. Whānau functioning and whānau
structures are largely constructed around interpersonal relationships and
outcomes reflect <strong>the</strong> ways in which whānau manage those relationships.
Whānau strength depends on sustainable relationships; provider
effectiveness depends on being able to establish working relationships
with whānau; and funder efficiency similarly depends on <strong>the</strong> way in which
relationships with providers and o<strong>the</strong>r key stakeholders are managed.
6.4.6 Sound governance and management requires attention to building
and sustaining relationships and creating a system built on mutual trust
and respect.
6.4.7 Relationships will be streng<strong>the</strong>ned when decisions are shared. Setting
whānau objectives, for example, should involve whānau members as well
as providers; indicators to measure progress should be jointly decided by
funders and providers; and government policies that impact on Whānau <strong>Ora</strong>
should take into account <strong>the</strong> views <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Whānau <strong>Ora</strong> network.
6.4.8 The <strong>Taskforce</strong> strongly endorses relational approaches to service delivery,
management and governance and recognises <strong>the</strong> importance <strong>of</strong> trust as
a determinant <strong>of</strong> success.
It is apparent that, despite
<strong>the</strong> billions <strong>of</strong> dollars <strong>of</strong>
funding that has been
poured into <strong>the</strong> social
services area, <strong>the</strong> longterm
outcomes have been
deficient and <strong>the</strong>refore
a new model <strong>of</strong> delivery
is required.
Establishing and Managing a Fund for Whānau Wellbeing
6.4.9 Whānau <strong>Ora</strong> must be adequately resourced to achieve <strong>the</strong> objectives that
have been set in a flexible and responsive manner. Future resourcing must
also take into account changing cost pressures and demands. The size <strong>of</strong>
<strong>the</strong> resource will depend on <strong>the</strong> scope <strong>of</strong> operations and <strong>the</strong> extent to which
some whānau functions are undertaken within existing budgets. In any event
a dedicated appropriation that will contribute to positive whānau outcomes
is critical to conferring a high level <strong>of</strong> confidence and permitting longer-term
planning. Because <strong>the</strong> goals <strong>of</strong> Whānau <strong>Ora</strong> range across all sectors, <strong>the</strong>re
is a case for a whole-<strong>of</strong>-government approach to funding,
with an appropriation derived from a number <strong>of</strong> votes.
6.4.10 Unbundling and combining appropriations from several votes in order to
establish a dedicated whānau fund will raise questions about priorities,
accountabilities and <strong>the</strong> relationship between Whānau <strong>Ora</strong> and o<strong>the</strong>r fund
holders who have similar objectives. For departments and ministries fur<strong>the</strong>r
questions will concern <strong>the</strong> quantum <strong>of</strong> funding, <strong>the</strong> purposes for which
funding is devolved, and <strong>the</strong> addition <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most efficiently structured way
<strong>of</strong> resourcing Whānau <strong>Ora</strong> to achieve <strong>the</strong> desired outcomes. While <strong>the</strong>
funds in question will integrate all programmes that have some impact
on whānau <strong>the</strong>se will combine with o<strong>the</strong>r programmes that are whānau
specific. Fur<strong>the</strong>r, once funds have been reallocated for Whānau <strong>Ora</strong>, <strong>the</strong>
nature <strong>of</strong> residual responsibilities <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> agencies towards whānau will also
require specification.
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