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

7 Whānau Services –
Key Operational Elements
7.1 Key Elements
7.1.1 On <strong>the</strong> basis <strong>of</strong> submissions, consultation with iwi and Māori communities
and experiences in health, education, services for children, youth and
families, and rūnanga services, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Taskforce</strong> has been able to identify six
key elements that will be necessary for a whānau-centred delivery system:
• whānau-centred methodologies shaped by te ao Māori
• commitment across government
• a primary focus on best outcomes for whānau, through integrated and
comprehensive delivery
• <strong>the</strong> establishment <strong>of</strong> an independent Trust with a dedicated government
appropriation
• strong regional direction
• building on existing provider capabilities.
7.1.2 The first element recognises <strong>the</strong> cultural and historic context within which
whānau live and <strong>the</strong> connections between whānau and <strong>the</strong> Māori sector.
The second and third elements are about services to whānau, <strong>the</strong> fourth
and fifth relate to <strong>the</strong> functions and structures necessary for an integrated
and cost-effective approach, and <strong>the</strong> final element recognises <strong>the</strong> skill sets
that have been developed over <strong>the</strong> past decades and <strong>the</strong> organisations that
already exist.
7.2 Methodologies Shaped by Te Ao Māori
7.2.1 Whānau are part <strong>of</strong> wider society and are also part <strong>of</strong> te ao Māori,
with connections to a range <strong>of</strong> Māori organisations and communities.
Though not all whānau share <strong>the</strong> same sense <strong>of</strong> ‘being Māori’ <strong>the</strong>y are
Māori none<strong>the</strong>less, and <strong>the</strong> Māori contexts within which whānau live
need to be part <strong>of</strong> whānau-centred initiatives. These contexts are
characterised by distinctive sets <strong>of</strong> cultural norms, a range <strong>of</strong> social
networks, variable tribal influence, common histories and different
degrees <strong>of</strong> acculturation and alienation. Although some whānau may have
little obvious connection to te ao Māori, it cannot be concluded that being
Māori is irrelevant to a whānau. Despite uneven participation in te ao
Māori, and regional differences in Māori cultural expressions, a Māori
perspective is a critical component <strong>of</strong> contemporary whānau experience.
7.2.2 Māori world views associated with intergenerational relationships, parenting
and grandparenting, and extended responsibilities for <strong>the</strong> young and <strong>the</strong>
old, are important cultural markers that underpin whānau. Similarly, links
to customary lands and territory <strong>of</strong>fer whānau a sense <strong>of</strong> place that can
complement mobility and transience in urban and global communities.
Our preference is for a
model that has whānau,
hapū, iwi at <strong>the</strong> centre with
interventions that increase
<strong>the</strong>ir capacity to access
what <strong>the</strong>y need.
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