Summarised by Centrist
A major overhaul of Whānau Ora will see the three original commissioning agencies lose their contracts, including the John Tamihere-led agency for the North Island.
The government has awarded contracts to four new agencies, with Ngāti Toa and Ngāi Tahu confirming they are among the successful bidders.
The shift affects $155 million in funding and could put up to 1000 jobs at risk. Whānau Ora leaders are furious, calling the move a political attack on Māori-led solutions.
Merepeka Raukawa-Tait, chair of the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency (WOCA), who receive funds from Whānau Ora, said they received little explanation for why their contract was not renewed.
Te Puni Kōkiri says Whānau Ora is shifting towards data-driven outcomes and frontline service delivery, with its $155 million budget unchanged.
The NZ Herald reports that Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer calls the overhaul “a political attack on Māori-led solutions,” despite iwi like Ngāti Toa and Ngāi Tahu securing contracts.
Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka says the government’s priority is ensuring continuity of services, with final contracts set to be signed by the end of April.
Editorial note: The NZ Herald cited Helen Leahy, former head of the South Island Whānau Ora agency, who called the changes unnecessary, saying Whānau Ora was effective while the public service had been negligent. Instead of addressing bureaucratic failures, Te Puni Kōkiri had “dismantled” successful agencies, she said. To understand the cloud of suspicion swirling around John Tamihere, read Graham Adams’ Centrist exclusive ‘Tamihere’s woes.’
