Frequently asked questions

What is the Taskforce on Whānau-centred Initiatives? Is this the same as the Whānau Ora Taskforce? 

Yes. In June 2009 Cabinet approved the establishment of the Whānau Ora Taskforce (The Taskforce).

Its role is to develop a framework for a whanau-centred approach to whānau development.

The Taskforce receives secretariat support from the Ministry of Social Development.

What does Whānau Ora mean?

In very simple terms 'whānau ora' relates to the wellbeing of whānau.

Whanau ora is determined by each whānau in relation to their own circumstances.

The Taskforce recognises that while government funded services and initiatives are significant, whānau, hāpu and iwi also have critical and distinct roles to play in facilitating whanau ora. These roles, relationships and responsibilities are based on whakapapa and lie outside Government.

Why was the Taskforce established?

Government money spent on and for Māori is not achieving the results it should.

Services are often duplicated, overlapping or limited to certain activities for the purpose of the contract regardless of the actual needs of whānau.

Minister Turia has tasked the Taskforce with addressing these issues by designing a framework for a whānau-centred approach to whānau wellbeing and development.

What is the scope of the Taskforce's work?

The Taskforce is responsible for developing a framework for a whānau-centred approach to whānau development.

It recognises that while government funded services and initiatives are significant, whanāu, hāpu and iwi also have critical and distinct roles to play in facilitating whanāu ora.

The Taskforce's agreed terms of reference include:

• developing a draft consultation document by the end of September
• releasing  the draft consultation document in October 2009
• reporting back formally to Minister Turia by end of January 2010.

Who are the members of the Taskforce?

The Taskforce has five members. They are:

Professor Mason Durie (Chair)
Professor Durie is Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Māori) at Massey University (Palmerston North) and Professor of Māori Research and Development. A psychiatrist by training, Professor Durie is a contributor to national debate on a range of social policy issues including community, family, education and health. He has previously been a Commissioner on the Royal Commission on Social Policy (1986-1988) and a Families Commissioner. His particular expertise areas can be broadly described as Māori wellbeing, social policy and research.

Rob Cooper
Rob Cooper is the Chief Executive of the Ngāti Hine Health Trust, a Māori-owned provider of social services in Northland. He is an appointed member of Auckland DHB and Chairperson of that Board's Māori Health committee. He has had a long career in the health sector including designing developmental funding pathways for Māori health sector providers during his roles with the Northern RHA and the HFA.  Rob is of Ngāti Hine, Ngāpuhi descent. His particular expertise is in health issues.

Suzanne Snively
Suzanne Snively is a partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers. She is an economist who specialises in government, financial services and governance advice to the private sector.  Before becoming a partner, Suzanne served as a director on several Boards including the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.  Her particular expertise areas are machinery of government, funding models and governance.

Di Grennell
Di Grennell is Executive Director of the Amokura Family Violence Prevention Consortium.  She is a member of the Domestic Violence Programmes Approvals Panel and the Second Māori Taskforce on Whānau Violence. Her particular expertise area is family violence prevention, including working with youth, programme development, and provider training.

Nancy Tuaine
Nancy Tuaine of Te Atihaunui a Paparangi (Whanganui) is the manager of the Whanganui River Māori Trust Board and a member of Whanganui DHB.  Her particular expertise is in health and social services.

Why were these members chosen?

Like most government Taskforces the Whānau Ora Taskforce is government appointed and brings together professionals who are recognised leaders in their field.

Taskforce members were selected based on their skills, experience and expertise.  They come from a range of sectors, including whānau health, education, family violence, working with young people, economics, and Māori development.

How long will the Taskforce be in place?

The Taskforce has been brought together for a specific purpose and under its terms of reference, it will have completed its work by the end of January 2010.

Who does the Taskforce report to?

The Taskforce reports directly to Minister Turia as the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector.

The Taskforce can only recommend courses of action to the Minister.

What evidence supports the development of a framework for a whānau-centred approach to whānau development?

The Taskforce's work is supported by research and evaluations of existing models of service delivery for Māori.  These include models which offer integrated care, holistic service delivery and whānau-centred approaches.

The Taskforce also draws on the work of other agencies and groups who have used effective whānau based initiatives.

What is on the Taskforce's work programme?

The Taskforce has produced a draft discussion document Whānau Ora: A whānau-centred approach to Māori Wellbeing. It is now seeking feedback on the document and will provide recommendations in a report to Minister Turia by January 2010. The Minister will then make recommendations to Cabinet in February 2010.

What are the main areas the discussion document addresses?

The discussion document focuses on placing whānau at the centre of service delivery. It also recognises that whānau ora is promoted through a range of other actions and influences that are outside the realm of service delivery and of Government. A proposed model has been developed to ensure the best outcomes for whānau.

The document also addresses coordination of services and support, funding arrangements to support more coherent, whānau-centred service delivery, and the potential impact on service providers and government agencies.

The Taskforce has short timeframes. Will they be able to engage with all key stakeholders?

The Taskforce will engage with a number of key stakeholders through hui.

In October and November the Taskforce will host approximately 20 regional hui with a range of urban and rural whānau, iwi and service providers. A non-government organisation hui is also planned for in Wellington.

What services are likely to be affected? Does this only affect social services?

The Taskforce's work seeks to improve whānau development and wellbeing through a changed approach to a number of government funded services. These include services and initiatives in sectors including: community and social development, Māori development, health, education, justice, and housing.