Media Statement
Thursday, 6 May 2010

Hon Peter Dunne
MP for Ohariu
Leader of UnitedFuture

Dunne welcomes Whanau Ora funding announcement

UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne today welcomed the Government’s funding commitment of $134.3 million over the next four years to launch Whanau Ora.

“This is a substantial commitment, but as I said last month, what has been done to help Maori across a range of social indicators in the past has not worked, and therefore it’s important to take a new approach,” he said.

“Whanau Ora does that. It is new and innovative and it is crucial that it be properly funded if it is to be given a real chance to succeed.

“The Government has done that today,” Mr Dunne said.

He said it was important that Whanau Ora was a tool for the betterment of all New Zealanders, and not just Maori.

Mr Dunne said that Whanau Ora fitted well with UnitedFuture’s long-held view that social services be provided on a “one-stop shop” basis, and that there be direct intervention with families in trouble.

“There are some strong and positive elements in Whanau Ora. It now has serious funding and it will be measured on what it achieves,” he said.

Ends

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